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Campylobacter levels on chicken fall again
The latest survey shows 5.6 per cent of chickens from the top nine retailers tested positive for the highest level of contamination.

FSA publishes last results for top nine retailers 

Campylobacter levels in fresh, shop-bought chickens have fallen to 54 per cent, according to the third annual survey by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

This survey will be the FSA’s last to include the UK’s top nine retailers, who will publish their own results going forward. Future FSA surveys will focus on smaller retailers, independent traders and market stalls, which have not shown the same level of improvement.

The latest survey shows 5.6 per cent of chickens from the top nine retailers tested positive for the highest level of contamination. However, the ‘others’ group which consists of smaller retailers and butchers had a significantly higher prevalence at 17.1 per cent.

Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose had significantly lower prevalence than the average among all retailers, at 2.9 per cent, 4.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.

Across the market, the figure is 6.5 per cent, down from 19.7 per cent when records began in 2014/15.

The overall percentage of chickens to test positive for any level of campylobacter was 54 per cent, down from 73.2 per cent in 2014/15.

The survey is based on 3,980 whole, fresh, UK-produced chickens that were sampled at retail.

FSA chair Heather Hancock commented: “The full year’s results from our third annual survey show the significant progress the industry has made in reducing campylobacter levels in chicken, compared with their starting point. The major retailers are now taking on the responsibility to publish their own results, according to a protocol we have agreed. This is a welcome step towards greater transparency.

“Whilst we will keep a close eye on the performance of bigger retailers, it means the FSA can now focus our efforts on smaller establishments, where we haven't yet seen the same level of improvement and where more progress needs to be made.”

The nine retailers will now publish their results on their consumer websites. Sampling and analysis will be carried out in accordance with robust protocols laid out by the FSA, so results will be comparable. FSA says it will have access to the raw data and will have the right to comment publicly on the results.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.