Change to the DSF Animal Care Criteria Indicator Metric

Following an extensive consultation of DSF Members and the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Council in 2023, DSF Governors have agreed to transition away from the current Indicator Metric of average Somatic Cell Count (SCC) to the development and implementation of an annually reviewed Animal Health & Welfare Plan (AHWP).

Of the three most highly prioritised DSF Sustainability Criteria in the dairy sector, Animal Care has moved into the number one spot for the first time in the DSF 2022 Calendar year reporting. It sits just ahead of GHG Emissions and Rural Economies, perhaps predominantly a reflection of increasing stakeholder expectations?

The consultative process clearly demonstrated that an Animal Health & Welfare plan will be a more appropriate ‘indicator’ of continuous improvement – being proactively forward looking and farm specific.

DSF Members have been notified of the associated transitional timeline, designed in recognition that some DSF Members will require time to implement this new indicator metric. New Members prioritising Animal Care will be required to report the number of Animal Health & Welfare plans only, with SCC data being collected from existing Members for the last time in March 2026.

In support of this change the DSF has produced an Animal Health and Welfare Plan template for implementation by Members who do not have access to any existing resources. Members with existing plan templates should continue to apply these.