Animal Health

What is the role of the Animal Health and Welfare Team?

To ensure that the health and welfare of farmed livestock is protected and complies with animal health and welfare legislation.

Animal health and welfare complaints

We deal with complaints related to the health and welfare of livestock and other farmed animals:

• On farm
• At market
• Abattoirs
• In transport

To report a concern to the Council you must contact the Animal Health and Welfare Team on email: eh.admin@bradford.gov.uk or telephone: 01274 434629. Make sure you give as must information as possible. What3Words is a useful tool to locate a position in the district.

Animal by products (ABP) and fallen stock

We deal with dead animals and the parts of animals that are not intended for human consumption. ABP must be disposed of in a safe manner in order to help control the spread of diseased to humans and animals.

These include:

• Waste from butchers and slaughterhouses
• Catering waste
• Blood, feathers, wool, hides and skin and other animal related products
• Fallen stock

Spills from vehicles

• Animal by-products must be transported in leak-proof containers or vehicle, Bradford Council can take action against companies who do not do this.

To allow us to take legal action against anyone who breaks the law, we need the following information to be reported to us as quickly as possible:

• Date and time of the incident.
• The registration number and description of the vehicle.
• The exact location of the incident.
• If you witness an animal by-product spillage from a vehicle on the highway, please report this on 01274 434629 or 01274 431000 outside of normal office hours.

Controlling diseases

We deal with current notifiable diseases which affect livestock.

If there is an outbreak of a disease keepers must adhere with any government guidance.

• Avian Influenza has been prevalent in England in recent years, and it is important if you keep poultry and captive birds you follow any current guidance to keep your flock safe. This includes following good biosecurity practices to help protect your flock.
• In England and Wales, you must register up 49 poultry or other kept birds by 1 October 2024. This includes any birds you keep as pets. If you keep over 50 birds you also ensure you have registered these using the correct form.
• Register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds
• If you suspect an animal disease you must call Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301

Farm inspections

To ensure that the health and welfare of farmed livestock is protected and complies with animal health and welfare legislation a Farm Inspection will routinely take place. The purpose of an inspection is to:

• Prevent outbreaks of animal disease
• Prevent environmental pollution
• Check farmers comply with regulations
• Provide advice at the request of farmers
• Investigate complaints

What do I need to do if I intend to keep livestock?

Livestock includes sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, deer and over 250 poultry.

To keep livestock, all farmers, small holders and pet livestock keepers must ensure they:

• Obtain a County Parish Holding Number from the Rural Payments Agency. Telephone: 03000 200 301, Apply for a county parish holding (CPH) number - GOV.UK)
• Register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to get a flock or herd mark. You should do this before you move the livestock onto the land or into the buildings where you’ll keep them. Telephone: 03000 200 301
• Adhere to the rules about the movements of livestock, in addition to keeping on farm movement records. Different licences must be obtained depending upon the animals to be moved. Licences are available for sheep and goats, cattle and pigs and you can register with them using the links below.
  • Pigs
  • Sheep and goats
  • Cattle
• Poultry keepers do not need a Flock Number or move under licence however records must be kept of movements.
• Safeguard the health and welfare of your animals on farm, in transit, at livestock markets and at slaughter
• Comply with animal medicine regulations when medicines are administered to your livestock. Ensure you keep appropriate records
• Safeguard the health of your staff and protect the public from disease
• Protect the environment from any waste originating from your livestock business, including animal by-products
• Dispose of fallen stock in accordance with the current legislation
• The government website has lots of information on keeping livestock.

What do I need to do if I intend to keep poultry and captive birds?

• You register up 49 poultry or other kept birds by 1 October 2024. This includes any birds you keep as pets. Register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds
• Keepers of over 50 birds are still required to ensure that these are registered. Compulsory Poultry Registration Form - Keeper of 50 or More Birds
• If you suspect an animal disease you must call Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301
• You must ensure that welfare needs of the poultry and birds are met. This includes ensuring they have a suitable environment, the freedom to exhibit natural behaviours, to be housed with or without other birds as appropriate, ensure they are provided with a suitable diet of food and fresh water and to be kept free from pain suffering injury and disease.

I think a farm animal is being treated cruelly. What can I do?

If you suspect that farm animals are being caused unnecessary suffering, you should report it immediately.

To report a concern to the Council you must contact the Animal Health and Welfare Team on email: eh.admin@bradford.gov.uk or telephone: 01274 434629.

You can also report welfare concerns of farmed animals to the APHA on email: EnglandNorth@apha.gsi.gov.uk or telephone: 03000 200 301

Does the Animal Health Team deal with the welfare of domestic pets?

No. If you have any concerns about the welfare of any domestic animals such as cats and dogs, then you should report your concerns to the RSPCA, telephone: 0300 1234 999

What do I do if I have concerns for the welfare of a horse?

If the horse is on council land, then you should contact the council to report it.

Email: horses@bradford.gov.uk
Telephone: 01274 431000

If you have concerns about the welfare of other horses contact the RSPCA, telephone: 0300 1234 999