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All leading supermarkets commit to end sale of caged eggs
Eggs
All leading supermarkets in the UK will be making the move to cage-free production.

Move hailed as 'truly momentous'

All leading supermarkets in the United Kingdom have now pledged their commitment to end the sale of caged eggs by 2025.

According to animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming, Asda and Lidl now join Iceland, Morrisons and Aldi in their move to cage-free production.

Other retailers including Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and The Cooperative stopped selling eggs from caged systems years ago.

The announcement follows a petition launched by teenager Lucy Gavaghan, signed by over 185,000 supporters. 

A Compassion in World Farming spokesperson described the move as 'a truly momentous turning point for egg laying hens in the UK'.

"With more and more companies pledging to join the growing cage-free movement worldwide, it is clear that the food industry is evolving and finally starting to see animal welfare at its heart," they add.

Farmers Weekly reports the supermarkets are now in consultations with egg suppliers over what will be the new standard for cage-free eggs.

A likely replacement is barn production - where birds are kept indoors but have freedom to roam a shed.

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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. 

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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.