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Avian flu confirmed at Suffolk farm
chicken
A 3KM Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone are now in place around the infected premises.
Protection and surveillance zones now in place

The UK’s deputy chief veterinary officer has confirmed H5N8 avian influenza at a poultry farm near Redgrave in Suffolk.

The announcement comes after an initial 10km Temporary Control Zone was put in place around the farm following tests which confirmed the presence of H5N8.

Further investigations into the nature of the virus have now confirmed that it is the same highly pathogenic strain of H5N8 that has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016.

A 3KM Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone are now in place around the infected premises to reduce the possibility of the disease spreading.

The premises is thought to contain some 23,000 birds. Many have already died and the remaining birds will be humanely culled. A full investigation is now underway to determine the source of the infection.

Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is minimal and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

Full details of the controls can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#movement-controls-and-licences

An interactive map can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#movement-controls-and-licences

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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.