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Syrian beekeeper to deliver keynote speech at BVA Members’ Day
Dr Ryad Alsous will deliver the keynote speech at BVA Members’ Day 2018.

Syrian refugee and beekeeping expert Dr Ryad Alsous will deliver the keynote speech at BVA Members’ Day 2018.

Dr Alsous was previously head of the bee department at the Agricultural Institute at Damascus University. But in 2013 he was forced to flee Syria for the UK, leaving behind 200 hives and research into beekeeping and environmental pollution.

Speaking at BVA members Day (20 September) Dr Alsous will share his personal story and how he set up The Buzz Project to support other refugees and job seekers in the UK.

© UNHCR/CarolineBrothers

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.