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Defra simplifies livestock movement rules
sheep and lambs
Defra are making the changes to simplify the rules on reporting livestock movements and how some farms are registered.

All affected farmers will be notified

Thousands of sheep farmers in England will be contacted by Defra about new sheep movement and recording rules.


Defra says they are making the changes to simplify the rules on reporting livestock movements and how some farms are registered.

The changes include:


  • A new maximum radius for livestock holdings of 10 miles for all species (keepers with more than one holding within a 10-mile radius may apply to merge them into one)
  • 
A new process for the registration of temporary land use

  • The removal of all existing Cattle Tracing System (CTS) links
  • 
The removal of Sole Occupancy Authorities (SOAs)

  • The removal of all existing temporary CPH numbers

According to the National Sheep Association (NSA), Defra will send some 30,000 affected farmers a letter within the next 12 months informing them of the changes.


While these farmers do not need to do anything until they receive that letter, the NSA urge them to start thinking about their options now.

For a full summary of changes happening to the rules for reporting and recording animal movements, please visit www.gov.uk.

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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.