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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
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.