News

The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) is pleased to announce that from today (Monday 13th April) it will be hosting a Blowfly Emergence Forecast on its website. This decision support tool will help sheep farmers take a proactive approach to flystrike prevention, providing an early warning, prompting close inspection and preventative strategies.

The latest Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Nematodirus Hatching Forecast shows a mixed picture across the UK. In many parts of England, the midlands and south Wales, hatching is nearing, or at peak and in southern England we are already past peak hatching (as designated by a red triangle), in several areas, which means the main risk period has passed.

In collaboration with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), APHA is working with diagnostic laboratories to better understand antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the livestock sector

Sheep farmers are being urged to take part in an industry-wide lambing survey this spring to help build a clearer picture of the challenges facing the sector, from disease threats and vaccine supply issues to unpredictable weather and other emerging pressures.

The UK Lambing Survey 2026 is being led by the University of Nottingham and Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health Ltd, who also chairs the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group (SAGG).

With great sadness we need to inform you that Agnes Winter passed away in early December 2025.

I know many of you knew well, had worked with Agnes or been taught by her. She was a fantastic member of our profession and had inspired many, me very much included. We were delighted that Agnes was at Sheep Veterinary Society autumn conference in Llandrindod this September.

BVA’s Young Vet of the Year 2026, supported by Zoetis, is your opportunity to celebrate vets in the early stages of their career who are making an incredible contribution to their workplaces and across the profession.

This is an England only consultation.

The consultation covers a mandatory animal health and welfare review, flock health plan, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) control and eradication programme. The proposals are designed to build on the current voluntary and funded phase of the Pathway, facilitating collaboration between farmers and vets to enhance livestock health, welfare and biosecurity.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has responded following the news that the University of Cambridge General Body has decided against proposals to discontinue Cambridge University’s undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine.

Guidance for vets on investigating poor reproductive performance in sheep and cattle, when bluetongue virus (BTV) should be considered as a potential cause.

DEFRA consultation that was released last month on the proposed changes to castrating and tail docking of lambs – LINK 

Following years of campaigning by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the UK Government has today (27 January 2026) taken a major step towards reforming the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA), launching a public consultation seeking views on its proposals for reformed legislation.

Following on from the launch of BVA’s policy position on parasiticides use in grazing animals, Sheep Veterinary Society and SCOPS share an in-depth insight into their vital work in responsible parasite control over the last two decades.