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Minister issues stark warning to animal owners
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"The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that all animals in Wales have a high standard of health and welfare."

Breaches of Animal Health Act 'will not be tolerated'

Anyone failing in their duties to meet the health and welfare needs of their animals will be prosecuted, a Welsh minister has warned.

The warning follows the publication of a report by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) which looked into the number of prosecutions taken under the Animal Health Act 1981. The report revealed that in 2014 there were 11 convictions in Wales, culminating in over £68,000 in fines and associated costs.

Rebecca Evans, Welsh deputy minister for farming and food said:  “High standards of animal health and welfare help to sustain a profitable and professional farming industry. These convictions are isolated cases and the vast majority of animal owners take their responsibilities seriously.

"However, any breaches of the Animal Health Act will not be tolerated and we will work with local authorities and APHA to take action where possible against anyone who fails to meet the health needs of their animals."

“The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that all animals in Wales have a high standard of health and welfare," Rebecca added

"Last year, I launched our new Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework which is building on nine years of work following devolution of powers in this area. In 2006 we gave Local Authorities more powers to prosecute individuals for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006."

Anyone who has concerns that farmed animals are not receiving adequate care should contact the Local Authority Trading Standards Department.

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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.