Poultry producers in England can now apply for funded biosecurity reviews through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (AHWP), following the opening of applications on 2 June 2026.
The funding covers veterinary biosecurity reviews carried out on farm as part of the AHWP. According to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the scheme was developed following discussions involving government officials, industry stakeholders and NFU representatives, who have been working on poultry biosecurity proposals for more than a year.
NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw said the reviews provide an opportunity for producers to assess farm biosecurity with veterinary input at a time when avian influenza continues to pose a risk to the poultry sector.
The scheme is available to a wider range of poultry enterprises than previous AHWP funding measures. Eligible sectors include laying hens, broilers, breeders and pullets, as well as turkeys, ducks and geese.
The NFU said it had worked to extend eligibility beyond the poultry categories traditionally covered by AHWP funding.
Questions remain regarding the eligibility thresholds for participation. The NFU said it continues to discuss the issue with Defra and has argued that producers with bird numbers below the current thresholds could also benefit from access to biosecurity reviews. Defra has agreed to keep the eligibility criteria under review.
The union also welcomed what it described as a simplified application process. According to poultry producer David Brass, applicants need to provide their CPH number, SBI number and poultry register number before arranging a veterinary visit. Producers who complete a review can receive £430 from Defra towards the cost of the visit.
The NFU said the timing of the scheme allows producers to plan veterinary biosecurity reviews ahead of the autumn period, when the risk of avian influenza typically increases.
