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Food Security Research Programme Launched
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s Global Research Programme has been launched. This aims to address the challenges of producing more food while using less energy, water, inputs and waste and protecting the environment.

NFU President Peter Kendall welcomes the move and believes that British agriculture has earned its position of strategic importance with Government and is poised to deliver solutions to the food production challenge that is looming.

 “UK farmers are very well-placed to provide solutions to the issue of food security, globally as well as closer to home,” said Mr Kendall. “However, we can only deliver if the right research is funded and sustained long-term and then translated into practice in the field.

“The tone at NFU Conference this year was one of positive recognition that farming matters; now there is a need to focus on how farming can deliver and science is a key part of this. We need research and technology to help farmers and growers increase food production while impacting less on the environment and we need to have a Government that legislates to support the important, strategic role that agriculture now holds. This Global Food Security Research Programme will enable our science community to step up to the research challenges ahead and work with farmers and growers on this critical issue.”

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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.