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FSA issues feline pancytopenia update
Fold Hill Foods is working with Lincolnshire County Council to resume production.

'No causative link between pancytopenia and the recalled food has been established.' 

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an update on the recent rise in cases of feline pancytopenia.

In the update, which addressed a number of commonly asked questions, the Agency confirms that no causative link has been found between feline pancytopenia and the recalled cat food products.

In the tests of the recalled food run by the FSA, higher levels of mycotoxins were identified in some samples, including T2 and HT2 compounds. 

As mycotoxins are found in some feed and do not indicate that they are the cause of feline pancytopenia, the FSA has said that 'no causative link between pancytopenia and the recalled cat food products has been established.'

In the update, the FSA outlined the next steps in the feline pancytopenia investigation as a continued investigation into the cause of the rare condition, which will take the form of a multi-agency approach. 

A 'frequently asked questions' section in the update advises pet owners to continue to follow the advice in the original recall notice, and reassures pet owners of the FSA's continued commitment to the investigation. 

The full update can be read at https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.