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EU sow stall ban – total compliance unlikely
Seventeen EU member states unlikely to comply in time

Statistics submitted to the European Commission have revealed that only ten of a total of twenty seven member states believe they will be ready to achieve compliance with the incoming partial ban on sow stalls, which will take effect as of 1st January 2013. Compassion in World Farming has estimated that this non-compliance could affect approximately 14,000 out of a total of 55,000 EU pig farms.

The member states who are not expected to achieve compliance are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. However, the true extent of the situation remains unclear, since Belgium, France and Portugal have either supplied insufficient data or have not supplied any and Italy have forbidden the publication of their statistics. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Sweden are all expected to achieve compliance in time or are compliant already, and the UK banned sow stalls in 1999.

Commenting, Zoe Davies of the National Pig Association (NPA) said “Health Commissioner John Dalli has made it clear they are going to come down hard on member states that are dragging their heels... But there are countries that are not going to comply so we really need to work with the Commission to come up with a plan about what to do with that meat that is going to be illegal.”

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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.