Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.