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Further criticism of Welsh TB decision
Badger cull U-turn meets disapproval

The NFU Cymru’s deputy president has attacked the Welsh Government’s decision to opt against badger culling and has urged farmers to continue carrying out all available preventative measures.

Stephen James spoke at an on-farm meeting at Cefnddwysarn, near Bala, highlighting the “creeping nature” of the disease in Wales over the past two decades.

He commented: “The disappointment is that the Welsh Government has now removed the opportunity to cull badgers in the Intensive Action Area in North Pembrokeshire and without their removal this source of bTB infection will remain.

He added: “The vaccination of badgers which has just started there is as yet unproven. The worry and reality in the meantime is that this terrible disease will continue to creep northwards and westwards threatening the cattle and the wildlife of currently clean areas such as Meirionnydd.”

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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.