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Thousands of ducks die on farm
Image: PETA
PETA calls on chefs to swear off foie gras

A factory farm in New York, which calls itself the "premier producer of foie gras", is estimated by its own calculation to lose 15,000 ducks a year before they make it to slaughter.

As part of a new US investigation, PETA has released video footage showing inhumane practices being carried out at the Hudson Valley Foie Gras farm.

The footage shows workers overfeeding the ducks through steel tubes three times day for several weeks in order to enlarge the animals' livers, as well as inhumane slaughter practices.

According to experts, such force-feeding leads to oesophageal tears and splits, liver rupture and failure, heat stress and aspiration pneumonia.

As a result of the recent investigation, PETA is calling on chefs to cease selling foie gras in their restaurants.

Mimi Bekhechi, associate director at PETA UK said: "Every exposé of foie gras farms has revealed how grotesquely cruel it is to jam pipes down birds' throats and force-feed them until they sicken and die." 

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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.