CHECS: Setting industry standards in cattle disease control
CHECS: Setting industry standards in cattle disease control
CHECS: Setting industry standards in cattle disease control
Despite its highly-regarded status in the cattle world, CHECS operates on minimal budgets with the administrator and auditor contracted part-time, and the executive officer receiving an honorarium. However, CHECS is fortunate to access considerable expert input from a range of specialists on a voluntary basis. This includes representatives from the three owner organisations (BCVA, NBA and Holstein UK), an independent chairman, an independent scientific advisor, two independent vets, dairy and beef farmer representatives and a representative from the Pedigree Breeders Group.
This group is chaired by Keith Cutler (CHECS Veterinary Director) and involves representatives with technical expertise from all the CHECS licensed Health Schemes plus some additional independent expertise from APHA and Animal Health Ireland. The CHECS Technical Advisory Group meets annually to review the standards contained within the CHECS Technical Document, and a revised version is generally published in the autumn each year.
CHECS does not have serviced offices so if you contact the organisation you may not receive an instant reply. Part-time resources consist of administration carried out by Charlotte Bullock and day-to-day management by Tim Brigstocke, Executive Director of CHECS. CHECS aims to respond to queries via email or post as promptly as it can.
Over the years random farm visits have been carried out by a small team, led by Donald Gilder, who retired at the end of 2023. The purpose of these visits was to look at how well farms and their herd vets were adhering to the requirements laid down by their health scheme, which in turn should follow the standards set out by CHeCS. The CHEC Board are currently reviewing the use of farm audits.
See more of CHECS guidance on auditing.
CHECS: Setting industry standards in cattle disease control
In the first instance, contact your chosen scheme provider. If you have questions related to standards and protocols then email CHECS directly.
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