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Vital milestone as livestock worrying bill passes through Parliament

The Country Smallholder

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February 2026

New law will give police more powers to protect animals

Vital milestone as livestock worrying bill passes through Parliament

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill has passed its final stage in Parliament and will now go to Royal Assent before becoming law - a vital milestone which will have a real impact for thousands of animals and farmers in the UK. Not only will the new Bill give police more powers to act - but it extends the scope of the legislation to better protect alpacas and llamas and adds roads and paths to the list of locations where a livestock worrying offence can take place. Welcoming this longawaited change in legislation, the RSPCA says this will “make more animals safer, and in more places”.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Geese for your garden or orchard

There are many reasons for wanting to keep geese - but there are geese for all reasons. Find out which is the one for you!

time to read

3 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Farming thoughts as the smallholding carries on

Agricultural journalist, and machinery writer Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world.

time to read

4 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Dutch beauty - the Welsummer, famous for plumage colour and terracotta coloured eggs

Victoria Roberts BVSC MRCVS looks at a breed that has been kept by royalty and finds a suitably regal bird with a fascinating history

time to read

3 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

How and why eggs vary in size

Paul Donovan investigates the factors influencing the size of a chicken's egg and finds some surprising influences that cause variations

time to read

8 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Newark hosts 10,000 vintage tractor and heritage machinery enthusiasts

Around 10,000 people turned out to celebrate the history of farm machinery and implements through the ages at this year's Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show, held under bright skies at Newark Showground. The two-day event once again proved why it remains one of the highlights of the vintage calendar, with visitors travelling from across the UK - some from more than 400 miles away - to share in a weekend that mixed nostalgia, engineering excellence and community spirit. Exhibits spanned everything from pre-First World War tractors and classic combines to potato handling equipment, steam engines and restored diggers, with every era of British farming represented. One of the standout attractions was the spectacular Caterpillar display, where 89 exhibits ranging from the smallest crawlers to the largest dozers filled the showground. There was incredible history on the stand, including a Holt 75 manufactured during the First World War and presented in pristine condition. The biggest of all, a mighty D10, towered above the crowd and drew constant attention from visitors.

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Then, Now... and Into the Future

Farming and smallholding practices have altered over the past century or so. Some have been subtle, others less so and many brought about by technology and legislation. In the last of the series, Jeremy Hobson continues to outline just a few of them.

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

In the forest garden

Adrian Thomas visits a garden in Somerset that's an inspiring mix of food growing, sustainability and wildlife

time to read

4 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Tis the season for Seville oranges time to make marmalade

Henrietta Balcon looks forward to spring with the breakfast favourite

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Track and Trace

John Sones looks at changes concerning livestock welfare measures and available funding

time to read

3 mins

February 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Massive win for animal welfare as new vet-backed law set to clamp down on puppy smuggling

After a long and sustained campaign by British Veterinary Association, the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill has received Royal Assent to become law.

time to read

2 mins

February 2026

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