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SRUC makes pledge to share wildlife management
The agreement sets out principals to follow when discussing issues such as sea eagle impacts on livestock.
New Concordat will guide wildlife management decisions across Scotland. 

A new Shared Approach to Wildlife Management concordat has been developed and signed by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) together with a wide range of organisations across Scotland.

The agreement sets out principles to follow when engaging in discussions on contentious wildlife management issues, such as sea eagle impacts on livestock. This shared approach, the result of 18 months collaboration, recognises the need to work in partnership and that everyone has a responsibility to manage wildlife as a shared resource.

“The shared approach is highly relevant to SRUC as many of our colleagues will become involved in wildlife management discussions at some point,” explained Professor Davy McCracken, head of integrated land management department at SRUC. “We have consultants who are in regular contact with land managers, lecturers delivering a wide range of land management courses and researchers like myself who help to advise on policy developments.”

Wildlife management is integral to farming, conservation management, tourism and forestry in Scotland. Among the signatories of the Concordat include NatureScot, National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Society for the Protection for Birds.

Professor McCracken added: “We have signed up to the Shared Approach to Wildlife Management because it will help us explain to our clients and students why some elements of wildlife management may need to change in the future and what that may mean for them.”

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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.