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BSE confirmed in Wales
cows
BSE is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system in cattle.
Isolated case in dead cow

A single case of classical BSE has been confirmed in a dead cow in Wales.

Rebecca Evans, the Welsh deputy minister for farming and food, said: "The case was identified as a result of the strict control measures we have in place. It did not enter the human food chain and the Food Standards Agency and Public Health Wales have confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case."

The animal's offspring and other cohorts have been traced and isolated. They will be destroyed in line with EU requirements. Ms Evans says the Welsh Government is working alongside Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency to investigate the circumstances of this case.

Prior to this, the last Welsh case was recorded in 2013. Sporadic cases have been confirmed across the UK in recent years.

BSE, often referred to as 'mad cow disease' is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system in cattle. All animals that die on a farm over the age of four are routinely tested for BSE in Wales. 

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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.