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Welfare concerns over live animals in transit
Exports of live cattle, pigs and sheep have tripled in value over the past five years.
Investigation finds routine rule breaking 

A BBC programme has found livestock hauliers are ‘routinely breaking EU laws’ put in place to protect animals in transit, during long journeys across Europe.

Welfare charities in Bulgaria, an EU entry point to Turkey and the Middle East, have been monitoring the situation.

When the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme looked into their concerns, they saw ‘widespread’ health issues in animals being transported to Turkey - including respiratory problems, eye conditions, dehydration and exhaustion. One bull was found dead on the top deck of a vehicle while the driver waited to collect customs papers on the Turkish border.

Last month the BBC says it witnessed a truck of 500 sheep getting stuck between checkpoints for four days, in high temperatures with no access to food and water. One sheep was dead when the truck was unloaded in Turkey.

Reporters also saw evidence that European consignments of animals regularly record the wrong destination in journey logs when they enter Turkey. Once they are over the border, livestock is often re-routed to slaughterhouses hundreds of miles away - a practice that is illegal under EU law, which requires animals be rested in stables for 48 hours first.

UK exports of live animals is a booming trade - exports of live cattle, pigs and sheep have tripled in value over the past five years. Cattle and sheep exports from Europe to non-EU countries (which may have lower animal welfare standards) have have doubled in value since 2012, according to figures quoted by the BBC.

EU commissioner for health and food safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, said the BBC’s findings were “absolutely cause for concern” but he believes the problem does not lie in lack of legislation, but in issues with enforcement, the level of official control and the education of operators involved in live animal transport.

A fact-finding mission has been sent to the Bulgarian border in a bid to address these problems, he added.

A spokesperson from the UK government told the BBC it would "consider the option to limit journey times involving farm animals for slaughter once Britain has left the EU".

 

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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.