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Government agrees on sustainable fishing quotas
The increased quotas include North Sea cod.

Quotas increase for North Sea cod and haddock

The UK government has secured ‘significant’ quota increases for key fish stocks at this year’s annual EU negotiations.

The increased quotas include North Sea cod (+10%), haddock (+23%), and monkfish (+20%). Stocks of cod and haddock are now accredited as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Challenges remain in some areas, for example in the Celtic Sea to revive stock of haddock and megrim. Quotas increased, however, for Western skates and rays, Bristol Channel plaice, sole and Celtic sea cod.

A further package of measures has been agreed on sea bass in an attempt to reverse the decline around the English coast.

Speaking after the negotiations in Brussels, fisheries minister George Eustice said: “The UK has long championed sustainable fishing and that is starting to yield results in some areas with a recovery in key stocks and increased quota as a result.

“Challenges remain in areas like the Celtic sea and on iconic species such as bass so further restrictions have been needed. As we prepare to leave the EU, we will place science-based fisheries management at the heart of future policy.”

Image (C) Finlay Fraser

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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.