Why does this matter to me, you might ask? I don’t export. All my meat is sold by the local butcher, or it comes back to my farm shop. The problem is that your abattoir may export bits of your animals that you don’t know about, and if they do, they will need you to have a piece of paper from your vet to say that your farm is not a biosecurity risk. This is called a Vet Attestation, and it will have a unique number called the Vet Attestation Number, referred to as a VAN.
Following strong representations from industry organisations such as Livestock Auctioneers Association, British Pig Association, National Beef Association and National Sheep Association, the government agreed to a soft launch with an implementation period.
So, if this is the first time you have heard about VANs or you don’t have one yet, please read this article carefully and take action. Do not put it off or delay. ACT NOW!
HOW DO I GET A VAN?
VANs are issued by private vets following a farm visit. The visit need not be specifically to obtain a VAN, and your vet may be happy to retrospectively issue a VAN if they have been on the farm in recent months. A VAN is not species-specific; if your vet has issued you with a VAN for another species, you can use the same VAN for your other livestock (as long as the vet was aware you had them on the holding).
If you have a vet visit planned for any other reason, make sure you ask them to issue the Attestation document as part of the visit.
WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS ATTESTATION?
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
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