NSA announces webinar to help sheep farmers navigate the tailing and castration consultation

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is inviting sheep farmers from across the UK to join a free webinar aiming to support and inform individuals through the current Defra consultation on the future of castration and tail docking methods of lambs.

With the government consultation period closing on Monday 9th March, NSA is urging farmers to engage fully to ensure that proposed legislative changes reflect the practical realities and diversity of the UK sheep sector.

The webinar, ‘Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers’, will take place online on Monday 2nd March 2026 at 7.30pm.

The webinar will help farmers understand what the proposals mean in practice and how to respond effectively, whilst hearing from a number of industry stakeholders.

Attendees will hear from a panel of respected industry experts, including Kate Hovers, a vet with more than 40 years’ experience, past President of the Sheep Veterinary Society and Director at the Wales Veterinary Science Centre. Scottish-based farmer and vet, Ann Van Eetvelt, will also be discussing the consultation, using her specialism in flock health, welfare and productivity to inform responses. SRUC Professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences, Cathy Dwyer will add to the discussion using her sheep welfare and behaviour expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes in real-world farming.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker and NSA Policy Manager Michael Priestley will complete the panel, representing the UK sheep sector and views of NSA members. Together, the knowledgeable panel will clarify the implications of proposed changes and the practical considerations surrounding alternative approaches, along with other themes within the ongoing consultation.

This webinar will be particularly valuable for farmers and farm workers who carry out castration and tail docking routinely, as well as those exploring or already using alternative methods. The session aims to provide clear, actionable guidance so that farmers can contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for any potential changes. NSA has also given attendees the opportunity to ask questions ahead of the webinar for the panel to respond to.

NSA Policy Manager, Michael Priestley comments: “This consultation has farming at its heart and many of the questions are designed to be answered by farmers about their flocks.

“It is vital policy makers and law makers understand the huge variety in the UK sheep sector and that what works on farm may not work for another. Farmers need to know the challenges some of the proposals will bring and be in no doubt that tailing and castration is a welfare trade off. Short-term pain for young lambs can be a welfare concern, and we welcome the discussion around it, but not tailing and castrating lambs can lead to greater welfare issues of flystrike and accidental pregnancies.

"Some breeders have managed to eradicate tailing and castration, while others are using pain relief already or higher welfare methods. However, the breed, lambing season, labour resource, age of lambs, wool type, finishing systems and farm topography all influence decisions around tailing and castration for flystrike management and the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. This is why every opinion counts."

NSA has always encouraged sheep farmers to share their opinions with NSA to aid the shaping of farming policy, including that of lamb management. This is just one of the many ways that NSA works to support the sheep sector and is only possible thanks to its membership base.

To find out more about the webinar click here, or to find out more about membership and what NSA does visit www.nationalsheep.org.uk