SCOTGOV has launched a 'Scotland’s Healthy Animals' website with the aim of providing guidance to all animal owners, professionals and members of the public on keeping animals healthy.

In its initial stages the website offers advice aimed at farmers and livestock owners with guidance on the likes of disease avoidance and biosecurity. In the future months, the hope is to evolve the site to include support for vets, companion animal owners and small holders.

Announcing the launch, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “I am delighted to officially launch Scotland’s Healthy Animals website, which for the first time, brings together information and guidance for animal keepers on steps they can take to avoid infectious diseases in their animals.

“Attention to biosecurity has long been critical to limiting the impact of infectious animal diseases in the livestock sector and this new tool aims to help reduce the use of antimicrobials by providing disease prevention advice," he said. “Promotion of biosecurity and good husbandry practices contributes to improvements in the health and welfare of animals, the profitability of rural businesses, and helps reduce the dependency on costly antimicrobial drugs.

“The site also includes the new Poultry Hub, which offers advice to poultry keepers on steps they can take to minimise the possibility of Avian Flu infecting their flock as the migration season continues through the coming winter, ”he added.