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Scottish SPCA receives health and safety fine
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Middlebank Wildlife Centre has not been used to house animals since 2012.
Society failed to follow duties on housing wild birds

The Scottish SPCA has been fined £5,000 after pleading guilty to a single charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The organisation told Dunfermline Sheriff Court that it failed to follow some of its duties associated with the housing of wild birds at Middlebank Wildlife Centre in Dunfermline. The Centre closed in 2012.

“This is the first time that the Society has had criminal proceedings taken against it for failing to comply with its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act,” explained a Scottish SPCA spokesperson.

“We would like to reassure our staff, supporters and stakeholders that all professional advice and recommendations in relation to risks associated with housing wild birds have been acted upon.”

Once a farm building, Middlebank Wildlife Centre has not been used to house animals since 2012. Through public donations, the Scottish SPCA created a state-of-the-art national wildlife research centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire.

“We are indebted to the generosity of the public for their assistance in funding the project, and its continued 700,000 per annum operating costs,” the organisation said.

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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.