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MEPs vote to curb antibiotic use in farming
chickens
MEPs voted to prohibit the use of preventative antibiotics to single animals, and only when this is deemed 'fully justifiable' by a veterinary surgeon.
Calls for ban on preventative and collective use of antibiotics
 
The use of antibiotics in farming could be restricted after MEPs voted in favour of draft plans to change an EU law on veterinary medicines.

Specifically, MEPs called for a ban on the preventative use of antibiotics, restrictions on their collective use and a ban on drugs that are critically important for human medicine.

"The fight against antibiotic resistance must start on farms," said French MEP Françoise Grossetête. "We wish to prohibit the purely preventive use of antibiotics, restrict collective treatment to very specific cases, prohibit the veterinary use of antibiotics that are critically important for human medicine and put an end to online sales of antibiotics, vaccines and psychotropic substances.

"Thanks to these measures, we hope to reduce the amounts of antibiotics found on consumers’ plates."

MEPs voted to prohibit the use of preventative antibiotics to single animals, and only when this is deemed 'fully justifiable' by a veterinary surgeon.

"However we need not reduce the therapeutic arsenal available to vets," added Françoise Grossetête. "This law aims to facilitate their work. It is absolutely necessary to encourage research and innovation in this sector."

The revised law would also empower the European Commission to select antimicrobials that must be reserved for the treatment of humans.

MEPs also supported plans to encourage research into new antimicrobials, including longer periods of protection for technical documentation on new medicines, commercial protection of innovative active substances, and protection for significant investments in data generated to improve a drug or keep it on the market.

The proposals will now be considered by the council of ministers.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA announces 12th Edition of the Small Animal Formulary

The BSAVA has published an updated edition of its Small Animal Formulary, which includes new drug monographs and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.

One of BSAVA's most trusted and widely used clinical resources, this 12th edition of the manual also includes seven new client information leaflets and information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence.

Part A of the Formulary, Canine and Feline, sees Fergus Allerton return as Editor-in-Chief, while Part B: Exotic Pets was edited by Joanna Hedley. For more information, visit the BSAVA website.