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Call for evidence to inform inquiry on equity in STEM sector
According to a data analysis brief, 83 per cent of people working in the veterinary profession or in animal care are female.

STEM employers and employees urged to share experiences

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) is looking for companies and organisations to submit evidence and data to inform it's new inquiry into equity in the UK STEM workforce.

The APPG has published a data analysis brief on diversity and representation in the STEM workforce in 2019, to inform the new inquiry.

The findings showed that, 5.9 million people worked in STEM occupations and 65 per cent of these people were white men. The STEM workforce was found to have a lower percentage of female workers (27 per cent) and disabled people (11 per cent) than the rest of the workforce (52 per cent female and 14 per cent disabled).

According to the brief, the veterinary sector has the opposite gender gap issue to the rest of the STEM workforce, with 83 per cent of people working in the veterinary profession or in animal care being female.

However, the APPG states that this inquiry aims to investigate equity across all areas of the STEM industry, wherever there are barriers to entry, in an effort to promote a diverse and inclusive environment for everyone.

The APPG is urging employers, employees and relevant organisations in the STEM industry to respond to it's call for evidence in order to establish a better understanding of the culture of UK STEM workplaces in 2020.

Submitted evidence will inform recommendations to the Government in a subsequent report, to be launched in summer 2021.

The deadline for evidence submissions is Friday 29 January 2021 at 17.00. To submit evidence please click here and for assistance in organising a response please consult this guide published by the APPG.

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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.