[ellisr]

I have had a good experience with both animal welfare/health and RPA. I found the RPA a fountain of knowledge when I was first setting up as they pointed me in the right direction for many things as I had never dealt with paperwork as grandpa had done all of that. I find that these department are realists as well and know that some things just can't be done as in the 'handbook'. I have been having major issues with a neighbour who has taken to making reports to the animal welfare twice a week now and it is there duty to follow it up, they are great and have given us ways to prevent the accusations causing us any bother such as recording everything including hoof trims in the medical book so that we can very easily refer to them and keeping a diary of any unusual behaviour in the animals so we can quickly reference it (eg a limp, a cough etc). I know it sounds like a lot but it is helping so much with all of our issues with the neighbour and animal welfare are over the moon as they don't have to investigate as such they pop out for a coffee quickly glance at the records have a walk and fuss the animals one even helped fetch stuff whilst I was lambing and thanked me for the experience. They even know where to wash there boots now without being shown. I really can't thank them enough for there support.