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Welsh Gamebird Welfare Code
Gamebirds get new codes of practice
The Welsh Assembly Government has published a code of practice for the welfare of gamebirds reared for sporting purposes.

The code will apply to game farms that rear birds for sporting purposes only but it will not effect those that are farming them for food. The code will come into effect on 1st January, 2011.

Although much of the advice in the code of practice will already be carried out by competent game farmers, it does contain new advice on good rules of practice in a number of areas. This is because either new evidence has shown that certain management practices may directly compromise the birds' welfare or where the government considers that the practice may compromise the birds' welfare and leave game farmers vulnerable to prosecution under the 2006 act.

You can download the code of practice here.

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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.