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Contaminated eggs found in 15 EU countries
Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France have been blocked from selling eggs after the detection of Fipronil.
EU commission calls meeting over Fipronil scare

Eggs contaminated with Fipronil have been found in 15 EU countries, as well as two non-EU member states, the European Commission has confirmed.

In a press briefing on Friday, agriculture spokesperson Daniel Rosario told reporters that farms in four countries - Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France — have been blocked from selling eggs after the detection of Fipronil.

He said that contaminated eggs have been found in at least 11 other EU member states — Sweden, the United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Denmark — as well as in Switzerland and Hong Kong.

According to reports, ministers and national regulatory agencies are set to meet in September in a bid to get countries to stop “blaming and shaming” each other over the Fipronil scare.

In a statement to news agency Reuters, EU commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said: ‘We need to work together to draw lessons learned and move forward instead of losing energy on finger pointing.’

Millions of eggs have been removed from supermarket shelves across Europe due to the presence of Fipronil - an insecticide banned by the European Union from use in the Food Industry. The contaminated eggs originated from the Netherlands.

Last week, the Food Standards Agency confirmed that 700,000 eggs had entered Britain from contaminated Dutch farms, affecting processed food such as sandwich fillings and other chilled foods. The products have been withdrawn by the businesses involved.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.