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EU Commission launches legal proceedings
Fourteen states sued over battery cage egg ban.

The European Commission has announced that it will be bringing legal proceedings against fourteen member states in the coming weeks in response to their failure to enforce the EU-wide battery cage egg ban. EU Inspection Teams will be visiting all member states to collect evidence of non-compliance with legislation to support legal action and subsequent fines.

EU Health Commissioner John Dalli informed Ministers by letter in November that infringement proceedings would be launched against any country which failed to meet the January 1st2012 deadline to convert all conventional battery cages into improved 'enriched' cages or better. Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain have all failed to meet the deadline.

The Commission's latest figures record that 46.7 million hens are still in conventional battery cages across Europe in spite of the ban. This constitutes 14 per cent of the Continent's entire flock.

UK farmers have objected to the trading advantage that non-compliance confers. Commenting on the news, Katy Lee, spokesman for UK farming unions in Brussels urged the Commission to act said “In good faith the UK poultry industry has fully complied with the new laws on the welfare of laying hens and now we are told 14 Member States have failed to meet the deadline. This is unacceptable.”

“We are pleased the Commission has begun legal proceedings against non-compliant Member States although it does feel like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. It is now essential that the Commission wastes no time in stamping out the illegal production and enforces large enough fines to discourage a similar scenario in the future.”

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Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS Regional Question Time heads to Edinburgh

The RCVS is to bring its Regional Question Time (RQT) to Edinburgh for 2026.

The event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

It will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with an evening programme from 7.30pm. This will start with an update on RCVS' activities, followed by questions and answers with representatives.

RCVS is encouraging an 'open dialogue', in which queries can be raised in a friendly, informal environment.

While discussions are expected to be audience-led, the RQT is expected address major issues including the VSA, the CMA's remedy package and the VN Vision project.

Tim Parkin, RCVS president, said: "It's an important time for the professions, and I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in Scotland as we navigate this period of change together so we can come out stronger."

Tickets can be booked here.