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Vet practice sustainability micro-course launched
“Veterinary practices have a unique role to play in addressing environmental challenges” – Helen Ballantyne.
SRUC will be offering the online course from February.
 
A new micro-course on sustainability in veterinary practice is being launched by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

The online distance-learning course, which will be available from February, will explore what practices can do to meet the new sustainability standards introduced by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The course will take a One Health approach to the issue and provide concrete examples of how practices can make large and small changes to become more sustainable. It will look at topics including using fewer single-use items, switching to renewable energy supplies, and using low-flow anaesthesia to reduce leakage of greenhouse gases.

SRUC has said that the course would suit registered veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons, although it can also be completed by other professionals who work in veterinary practices. It takes 12 weeks to complete.

The course was co-created by registered veterinary nurses Helen Ballantyne and Laura Edwards.

Ms Ballantyne said: “Veterinary practices have a unique role to play in addressing environmental challenges.”

“By empowering veterinary professionals with sustainable tools and insights, we aim to create a positive impact that supports animal welfare, community health and ecological balance.”

Image © Shutterstock

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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.