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British Veterinary Association responds to competition watchdog’s provisional decision and welcomes call for vet practice regulation
15 Oct 2025
Vets in Wales express frustration at last minute changes to animal health scheme transition plan
We are disappointed by the Welsh Government’s announcement today (20 July) outlining plans to move to a streamlined Animal Health Improvement Cycle (AHIC) under the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) for farmers who are members of an aligned farm assurance scheme.
While we recognise the intention to streamline requirements, we believe the transition arrangements will have unintended negative impacts on the veterinary profession in Wales.
From 2027, farms that have joined the SFS and are members of an accredited farm assurance scheme that has committed to aligning with AHIC requirements will require only one veterinary visit to comply with both AHIC and farm assurance scheme requirements. If implemented properly, this could represent a positive development for both vets and farmers. However, the transition arrangements announced today mean that farms registered with qualifying farm assurance schemes will still be eligible for SFS funding in 2026 without undertaking the anticipated AHIC veterinary visit in that year.
This change is particularly disappointing for veterinary professionals and businesses who undertook the necessary training and preparation for these visits during an already busy winter and spring period. Veterinary practices have also prepared for the introduction of the AHIC by investing in their businesses and increasing capacity to meet the requirements of the SFS. Furthermore, we are concerned that the new transition arrangements risk undermining the long-term objectives of the AHIC. Any effort to streamline the AHIC and farm assurance systems should not come at the expense of animal health and welfare in Wales.
Responding to the proposed plans, British Veterinary Association Welsh Branch President Phoebe McCarter said: “We support plans to streamline Animal Health Improvement Cycle (AHIC) veterinary checks for farmers who are a part of farm assurance schemes to avoid any duplication of effort, where relevant, for both farmers and vets. However, these last-minute changes to transition arrangements will likely have unintended consequences to the sustainability of veterinary practices in Wales in the short term, and risk undermining animal health and welfare, a core pillar of the scheme.
“Many practices have invested in their business for 2026 based on expected AHIC work and the published requirements of the scheme. We know that some practices have hired new team members to cope with capacity and all have spent time and money training their vets to complete the AHIC. It’s concerning that the goalposts have now been moved without consulting the profession. We’d like to see a commitment from the Welsh Government that there will be no further changes without consultation with the veterinary profession.”
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