On Farm Handling, Slaughter, Removal, PME and Disposal of Farmed Animals Service

Competition under the 22562 AHTSS Framework.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is the Executive Agency of the United Kingdom (UK) Government that is primarily responsible for ensuring that farmed animals in Great Britain (GB) are healthy, disease-free and well looked after. One of APHA's key roles is to implement Government policies aimed at preventing or managing outbreaks of serious animal diseases, and protecting the welfare of farmed animals. In doing so APHA supports the farming industry and safeguards public health from animal borne disease.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most complex animal health problems currently facing the farming industry. As part of the TB Eradication Programme, cattle are subject to regular surveillance testing for the disease. In the event of a positive reaction to testing or where there is a likelihood of infection with TB, cattle are compulsory removed from farms and slaughtered.

Dealing with TB in non-bovine animals is also one of the components of the TB Eradication Programme. Non-bovine animals (including sheep, goats, pigs, deer and camelids) suspected of having being infected with TB are also compulsory removed from farms and slaughtered for TB control purposes.

From time to time there is also a need for the removal and slaughter of farmed animals which are unfit to be transported and/or enter the food chain because of other diseases or welfare issues.

The Services will mainly be required in relation to Animals affected by TB but may also be required for Animals affected by other diseases or welfare issues and which are unfit to be transported and/or enter the food chain. This may include, for example but is not limited to, Animals unfit to travel during late pregnancy or Animals that are lame. Animals which are fit to be transported live to an abattoir and which are permitted to enter the food chain will be removed through the Haulage and Salvage Framework and not through this Contract.