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Pet owners snub new RSA policy changes
dog with vets
87 per cent of owners would not take out an insurance policy that specifies where their pet must go for major operations.

New policies specify where pets must go for referral treatment

Almost 90 per cent of owners would not take out pet insurance with a company that dictates where their pet should be sent for referral treatment, a new survey has revealed.

The figure comes as Tesco and More Than adopt Royal & Sun Alliance policies which state that pets who need specialist treatment must be taken to one of 29 centres as approved by RSA.

Those who do not take their pet to a centre on the RSA’s approved ‘referral network’ could face a fine of £200.

The survey of 1,000 pet owners shows that 87 per cent of owners would not take out an insurance policy that specifies where their pet must go for major operations.

To read the full story visit vetcommunity.com.

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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.