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EU Summary report on presence of TSEs published
No cases of classical BSE in cattle were reported in 2017
EFSA presents the results of surveillance on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reported on its 2017 monitoring of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in the EU member states and Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.

TSEs include bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), scrapie and chronic wasting disease (CWD). The diseases affect the brain and nervous system.

The research reports on findings in bovine animals, sheep, goats, cervids and other animal species. Genotyping in sheep is also included.

The main 2017 findings of the report are:
  • no cases of classical BSE in cattle were reported (out of 1,312,714 tested)
  • six cases of atypical BSE were reported
  • 933 cases of scrapie in sheep were reported (out of 314,547 tested)
  • 567 cases of scrapie in goats were reported (out of 117,268 tested)
  • no cases of CWD in cervids were reported (out of 3,585 tested) in the EU
  • 11 cases pf CWD in cervids were reported in Norway.
Full results of the report can be found here.

BSE is the only known zoonotic TSE. Although no classical cases of BSE were identified in 2017, a farm in Aberdeenshire confirmed a case of BSE in October 2018.



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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.