On 21st July 2023, an interim agri-environment scheme was announced to maintain and increase the area of habitat land under management across Wales.

The new scheme, Habitat Wales, will provide an alternative offer of support to all eligible farmers, including Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organic farmers when their contracts end on 31st December 2023.

A new strain of bluetongue virus, BTV 3, is currently spreading rapidly in the Netherlands and Northern Europe. Clinical signs of this new strain show that it is a much more potent serotype than previous strains; with mortality in sheep as high as 30-50% depending on the location and variant.

Whilst there are currently no reported cases of BTV 3 in the UK, the rapid spread of this disease is a cause for concern due to the proximity of recent outbreaks to the UK. 

From December, many farmers in Wales will require their vet to sign a veterinary declaration which certifies that animals have had regular (annual) biosecurity and health check visits from a vet. 

From 13th December, a Veterinary Attestation Number (VAN) issued on the veterinary attestation certificate is required to accompany animals and animal by-products for export.

Since 17th October the use of both snares and glue traps have become illegal in Wales. This is the first ban of its kind in the UK. The ban comes into force under the Agriculture (Wales) Act.

The ban on the use of snares is a Programme for Government commitment. The UK Government has legislated for only a partial ban in England.