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BVA supports animal welfare law
European Parliament calls for new legislation

The British Veterinary Association has backed new plans by the European Parliament as it calls for a science-based European animal welfare framework law.

MEPs are promoting new rules on labelling including non-stun slaughter, better controls and tough sanctions, equivalent welfare standards for imported animals and products, and species-specific welfare legislation.

The European Commission have been urged by MEPs to come forward with a holistic EU strategy on animal welfare by adopting a report by Swedish MEP Marit Paulsen. The resolution, put together in response to the Commission’s Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015, calls for a clear-cut and transparent approach based on scientific evidence to protect the welfare of all animals kept by humans; farm and zoo animals as well as pets.

BVA President Carl Padgett welcomed the report and commented: “As a profession we are delighted that the report emphasises the importance of scientific evidence and that animal welfare requirements should be evaluated on the basis on the latest scientific knowledge.”

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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.