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Leaflet warns farmers of slurry risks
slurry
Farmers should be informed about the dangers of slurry gases.
Farm Safety Partnership releases a leaflet about the dangers surrounding slurry gases 

Slurry gas is a cocktail of toxic products, including hydrogen sulphide, that are released when slurry decomposes.
 
Even just a few breaths of this gas can render a person unconscious, and it has been the cause of many high profile accidents, often resulting in fatalities of people and animals.
 
With this in mind, the Farm Safety Partnership, chaired by the National Farmer's Union (NFU), has launched a new leaflet as part of its Stop! Think! slurry gas campaign, which is due to be unveiled at Grassland & Muck at Stoneleigh Park.
 
NFU vice president Guy Smith said:
“Deaths from slurry gas still occur and these are made all the more tragic by the fact that so many people die who instinctively go to the aid of those in difficulty. 
 
“This new leaflet has 11 points to follow to reduce the risk of a slurry gas incident. But it is equally important to know that if there is a problem, stop the pump, get the person to fresh air, but don’t put yourself at risk, call 999 and advise the emergency services that slurry gas may be present.”
 
To download the leaflet, visit the Farm Safety Partnership website here.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.