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PETA Calls for Ban on Exotic Pets
Following a massive raid on an international exotic animal operation based in Texas, PETA is calling for a ban on the sale of exotic species and a prohibition of their importation into the country.

More than 26,000 lemurs, wallabies, sloths, hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, snakes, lizards, spiders and other animals were seized from US Global Exotics (USGE), a company that deals in hundreds of thousands of animals each year and counts at least three UK companies among its customers.
    
PETA is calling for Defra to ban the sale of exotic species and introduce restrictions regarding their importation. 
 
"This case reveals the appalling but routine abuse and neglect found in the exotic-pet trade", says PETA's Poorva Joshipura. "Animals were snatched out of their natural habitats and shipped thousands of miles to the US, only to be repacked for grueling journeys to the UK and other countries. Anyone who gives their business to pet shops that sell exotic animals may be unwittingly supporting this cruelty."

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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.