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Defra simplifies livestock movement rules
sheep and lambs
Defra are making the changes to simplify the rules on reporting livestock movements and how some farms are registered.

All affected farmers will be notified

Thousands of sheep farmers in England will be contacted by Defra about new sheep movement and recording rules.


Defra says they are making the changes to simplify the rules on reporting livestock movements and how some farms are registered.

The changes include:


  • A new maximum radius for livestock holdings of 10 miles for all species (keepers with more than one holding within a 10-mile radius may apply to merge them into one)
  • 
A new process for the registration of temporary land use

  • The removal of all existing Cattle Tracing System (CTS) links
  • 
The removal of Sole Occupancy Authorities (SOAs)

  • The removal of all existing temporary CPH numbers

According to the National Sheep Association (NSA), Defra will send some 30,000 affected farmers a letter within the next 12 months informing them of the changes.


While these farmers do not need to do anything until they receive that letter, the NSA urge them to start thinking about their options now.

For a full summary of changes happening to the rules for reporting and recording animal movements, please visit www.gov.uk.

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk