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Waterfowl sites in Essex given greater protection
Dark-bellied brent geese.


Two important sites for waterfowl in Essex have been given the strongest possible environmental protection, Defra has announced.

Allfleet’s Marsh and Brandy Hole, which are part of the Crouch and Roach estuaries, are now Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). They were also designated Ramsar wetland of international importance.

Both sites provide suitable habitat for internationally important wintering water birds, including dark-bellied brent geese, lapwing, shoveler and golden plover, among many waterfowl species.

Image by Ian Kirk, Broadstone, Dorset/Commons Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0

 

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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.