ANIMAL HEALTH

1. ANIMAL HEALTH Animals that produce milk need to be healthy and an effective health care programme should be in place. Good dairy   farming practice Examples of suggested measures to achieve good dairy farming practice Objectives of these measures 1.1  Establish the herd with resistance to disease 1.1.1  Choose breeds and animals well suited to the local environment and farming system 1.1.2  Determine herd size and stocking rate based on management skills, local conditions and the availability of land, infrastructure, feed, and other inputs 1.1.3  Vaccinate all animals as recommended or required by local animal health authorities Enhance herd disease resistance / reduce stress 1.2  Prevent entry of disease onto the farm 1.2.1  Only buy animals of known health status (both herd and individual animals) and control their introduction to the farm using quarantine if indicated 1.2.2  Ensure animal transport on and off the farm does not introduce disease 1.2.3  Monitor risks from adjoining land and neighbours and have secure boundaries 1.2.4  Where possible, limit access of people and wildlife to the farm 1.2.5  Have a vermin control programme in place 1.2.6  Only use clean equipment from a known source Maintain farm biosecurity Keep animals healthy Comply with international/ national/regional animal movement and disease controls 1.3  Have an effective herd health management programme in place 1.3.1  Use an identification system that allows all animals to be identified individually from birth to death 1.3.2  Develop an effective herd health management programme focused on prevention that meets farm needs as well as regional and national requirements 1.3.3  Regularly check animals for signs of disease 1.3.4  Sick animals should be attended to quickly and in an appropriate way 1.3.5  Keep sick animals isolated 1.3.6  Separate milk from sick animals and animals under treatment 1.3.7  Keep written records of all treatments and identify treated animals appropriately 1.3.8  Manage animal diseases that can affect public health (zoonoses) Detect animal diseases early Prevent spread of disease among animals Ensure food safety Ensure traceability 1.4  Use all chemicals and veterinary medicines as directed 1.4.1  Only use chemicals approved for supply and use under relevant legislation 1.4.2  Use chemicals according to directions, calculate dosages carefully and observe appropriate withholding periods 1.4.3  Only use veterinary medicines as prescribed by veterinarians 1.4.4  Store chemicals and veterinary medicines securely and dispose of them responsibly