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Liz Truss remains as Defra secretary
Liz Truss
Elizabeth Truss has been re-appointed to Defra as environment secretary.

Joined by George Eustice and Rory Stewart

Elizabeth Truss has returned to Defra after being re-appointed as secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.

Elizabeth will be leading work to promote the UK's food and farming sector, improve the environment and champion the environment.

Commenting on her re-appointment, Elizabeth said:  "It is a privilege to serve in this Government and I am delighted to be returning as environment secretary.

"Growing the rural economy, delivering for our food and farming sector, helping our rural communities continue to thrive and ensuring the protection of our natural environment will be my priorities and I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible."

Joining Elizabeth will be George Eustice MP, who has been re-appointed as minister of state.

Mr Eustice was elected as the Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth in 2010.

Coming from a farming background, his family run a fruit farm restaurant and farm shop in Cornwall.

They also have a herd of South Devon cattle and the country’s oldest herd of the rare breed of pig, the British Lop.

His family have shown a keen interest in educating children about farming and have opened their farm to 3000 schoolchildren a year.

They will be joined by Rory Stewart MP, who has become the Parliamentary undersecretary of state at Defra.

Rory was elected the Conservative MP for Penrith and The Border in May 2010.

Image (C) Defra

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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
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.