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Princess Royal visits Moredun
The Princess Royal meeting guests
Visit highlights contribution of livestock to food production, biodiversity and environment

The Princess Royal was joined by over 100 guests on 21 October at Pentlands Science Park to hear about Moredun’s involvement in supporting the livestock industry and working in collaboration with partner organisations to help promote the wider benefits of livestock in sustainable food production, promoting biodiversity and minimising impact on the environment.

Set up by farmers for farmers, the Moredun Foundation is one of the largest livestock charities in the UK and governs the work of the world renowned Moredun Research Institute. The mission of the organisation is to improve the health and welfare of livestock through research and education.

The speakers at the event included Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association who was passionate in his support for sheep farming as something of which we we should all be proud; Dr Philip Skuce from Moredun discussed new research showing the importance of high health and welfare in livestock production systems to reduce impact on the environment and also the impact of climate change on disease risk; and Sarah Millar, head of industry development at Quality Meat, Scotland, discussed the nutritional and health benefits from meat and dairy products and the advantages of sustainable grassland and hill farming systems.

During the visit, The Princess Royal met guests – including a group of postgraduate students and early career scientists, along with those representing the farming industry, veterinary surveillance and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund. Before leaving, Her Royal Highness also participated in a tour of Moredun’s laboratories to speak first hand to the scientists about the latest research advances.
 
The guests also enjoyed taking part in a lively discussion forum on the subject of steering public opinion towards supporting UK livestock farming.

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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.