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RSPCA Launches Animal Welfare Hotline
Farmers struggling in the cold weather can now get help from the RSPCA.
The RSPCA and National Farmers Union (NFU) are working together to help farmers and animals struggling in the cold weather.

The RSPCA is launching a new Farm Animal Welfare Hotline. All calls will be handled by the Society’s National Control Centre and if necessary, passed onto frontline RSPCA staff to access what help is needed.

Tim Wass, chief officer of the RSPCA inspectorate, said: “The extreme cold and bad weather conditions could have a massive impact on farm animals. We are committed to doing everything we can to assist them, and hope this hotline will be a real help for farmers who find themselves in difficulties.”

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: “While farmers are very resilient and are used to coping with extreme weather conditions the current bad weather has left some facing difficult situations. The welfare of their livestock is of paramount importance to farmers and, while, they are working hard to carry on as normal, anything that gives them an additional helping hand in these extreme conditions is welcome.”

Farmers and livestock owners with severe animal welfare problems can now call the RSPCA Farm Animal Welfare Hotline on 0300 1238424.

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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.