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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 27th February 2012
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Warning on EU sow stall ban
Repeat of battery egg ban delay forecast

The Shadow DEFRA Secretary has warned that the incoming EU-wide Sow Stall Ban which is due to come into force in January 2013 may be missed by a significant number of EU member states. Mary Creagh MP used a visit to a Yorkshire pig farm to underline her remarks.

Luxembourg, Sweden and the UK have already banned the use of sow stalls, and Denmark, Germany, Ireland and Lithuania are all scheduled to complete the transition to alternative methods  by the end of the year. However, it is believed that a number of the remaining EU member states will fail to comply with the ban in time and those in compliance will therefore be at a competitive disadvantage.

Mrs Creagh drew parallels with the recent battery egg ban in which many EU countries including the UK failed to make the transition by the time the ban was brought in and argued for action by the Government accordingly. “After the fiasco over imports of battery eggs, the Government must take a strong lead in ensuring our UK supply chain is ready for the ban on sow stalls next January. British shoppers want to be confident about where their meat comes from, and I hope that supermarkets will also take a lead in supporting home-reared pork in their products.” she said.

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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.