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Vet calls for collaboration in pig supply chain

Greater collaboration between vets and the broader pig supply chain to be a key focus.

Developing greater collaboration between vets and the broader pig supply chain will be a key focus for Mike Wijnberg, the new president of the UK’s Pig Veterinary Society (PVS).

Mike, who is veterinary manager for BQP, based at Stradbroke in Suffolk, took over the reins from Nigel Woolfenden at the PVS spring conference in Newcastle.

He sees an important role for the veterinary profession in helping the pig industry become more resilient: “I’d like to see closer links being built between vets and other parts of the pig supply chain – with producers in particular, but also with pork processors.

“Through my role as veterinary manager, but also having responsibility in the Tulip pig supply chain, I hope I can bring additional insight to help achieve this.”

The use and control of medicines in food producing animals is another area Mike highlights for focus: “Pig health, welfare and food safety are interlinked and provide challenges for vets both as advisers on individual farms but also collectively in advising the industry.”

Mike was in private practice in South Africa for ten years before coming to the UK fifteen years ago. He joined BQP and has played a part in its growth since. He has been involved with various industry projects and is currently also a member of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC).

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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.