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MPs to debate petition calling for ban on general sale of fireworks
The petition sites the injury and stress that fireworks cause for wildlife and animals as a major reason for a nationwide ban.

Online fireworks petition gains more than 305,000 signatures

The UK government has confirmed that MPs from across the House of Commons will soon meet to debate a petition, relating to the sale of fireworks in the UK, which has gained considerable support.

The debate will take place on Monday 2 November and will be led by Tonia Antoniazzi MP (Gower), a member of the petitions committee. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will send a minister to respond.

MPs will be debating e-petition 276425, which has received more than 305,000 signatures and calls for a ban on the general sale of fireworks to the public.

The petition states: “Every year more and more people, animals and wildlife get hurt by fireworks. It’s time something was [done] to stop this. There are enough organised firework groups around for us to still enjoy fireworks safely so please help me stop the needless sale of them to the public.”

“The noise from fireworks causes a great amount of fear, stress and anxiety in wild animals. Errant fireworks can also cause environmental damage though fires, and from the release of poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, which is not just inhaled by wildlife, but contaminates the natural environment.”

The debate will be livestreamed online here and on the UK Parliament YouTube page. Both debate transcripts will be available here and you can follow the debate on Twitter with the hashtag #FireworksDebate.

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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.