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Charity calls on McDonald's to stop using antibiotics
McDonalds sign
UK charity Share Action are calling on consumers to email McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook.

Consumers urged to email CEO 

An online petition has launched calling on McDonald's to stop using antibiotics in their supply chains.

In 2014 the World Health Organisation warned the practice could push the world into a ‘post-antibiotic era,’ in which drugs we rely on for routine medical treatments no longer work.

Just one week after McDonald’s announced that it stopped using antibiotics in poultry at its U.S restaurants, UK charity Share Action are calling on consumers to email McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook.

The organisation, which promotes responsible investment, wants Mr Easterbrook to stop the use of antibiotics important to human medicine in the meat and dairy supply globally - including chicken, beef and pork

"We hope this action will encourage McDonald's to supersize their ambition," said ShareAction chief executive Catherine Howarth.

According to Share Action, around 70 per cent of all antibiotics used in the US and half of those used in the UK are given to livestock.

They add that McDonald's initially set promising targets address excessive antibiotic use in American and European poultry supply chains, but this has yet to be tackled in beef, pork or dairy supply chains. 

Image (C) Bikeworldtravel/Shutterstock

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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. 

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News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.