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Genetically modified salmon
Final stages of food safety approval for fish

Biologists in Canada are currently harvesting eggs from a genetically modified Atlantic salmon, which is in the final stages before being declared fit for human consumption.

The biologists, who work for a biotechnology firm, are going to keep the genetically modified fish – known as AquAdvantage salmon – in onshore tanks in Panama, Mexico.

They say the salmon will look just like their natural cousins, but will reach full-size in half the time. This improved growth is due to additional genes from the Pacific Chinook salmon and the ocean pout eel.

AquAdvantage salmon has already been declared to have "no significant impact" by the US food regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is normally the last step before official approval, however, there is still a brief period for objections.

The firm has been working on approval for AquAdvantage salmon for 17 years and, if given the green light by the FDA, the fish will be the first genetically modified animal fit for human consumption.

On the other hand, the Atlantic Salmon Federation fears that the fish, which are all female and sterile, could start breeding and disturb the ecosystem if they were to get into the wild.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."