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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 28th December 2017
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New guidance on the use of formaldehyde in fish
"Formaldehyde has been used as both a biocide and a medicine on UK freshwater fish farms for a long time" - Ronnie Soutar, FVS president.
Guidelines clarify regulations vets should abide by 

New guidelines to assist veterinary surgeons considering formaldehyde for the treatment of fish have been approved by the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

Developed by the BVA and the Fish Veterinary Society (FVS), the guidelines clarify how formaldehyde can be used and what regulations vets must abide by. They also include information for formaldehyde’s use as a biocide.

Formaldehyde is classified as a Category 1B carcinogen. It is used both as a medicine to treat fish and as a biocide to disinfect facilities and equipment.

The use of formaldehyde to treat or prevent fish diseases falls within the scope of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. Veterinary surgeons can only prescribe the compound via the Cascade, as there are no authorised medicinal products containing formaldehyde in the UK.

At least one formaldehyde product is licensed in several Mediterranean countries. But the use of this requires a special Import Certificate from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. This more costly option - together with conflicting information within the industry itself - meant there was a need for clarifying guidance to help other vets in this situation.

“This is a really important issue within the UK aquaculture industry, particularly given the contribution farmed Scottish salmon makes to the UK economy,” said FVS president Ronnie Soutar. “Formaldehyde has been used as both a biocide and a medicine on UK freshwater fish farms for a long time but it’s fair to say there has been some confusion between the two categories of use.”
 
He continued: “Staying within prescribing law is key to the success of the UK’s aquaculture industries, and we hope the new BVA/FVS guidelines will provide vets with the essential guidance needed. I know that on-going discussion is also required, particularly to address the concerns of trout farmers.”

The guidelines were approved at BVA Council on 13 December and will soon be available on the BVA website. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.