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'Innovative new approaches' to TB urged
Govt hopes to cut expenditure

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has urged the farming sector to develop 'innovative new approaches' to the control of bovine tuberculosis in light of the need to make financial savings in the current economic climate.

DEFRA is hoping to cut its animal health budget to £199million by 2014/15 as compared to expenditure of £244million in 2011/12. As TB-related spending accounts for an annual expenditure of £100million at present, savings in this area would greatly assist in achieving this reduction.

Commenting, Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) Chairman Michael Seals said “We are open to new ways of working. We are looking for industry to come forward with their ideas. For example, do we have to have a hugely bureaucratic system of controls and decision-making processes, when some aspects could easily be handled by the farmer. It is far easier for a farmer to organise the removal of animals from his farm than some central organisation.”

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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.