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VMD recalls chicken vaccine over efficacy concerns
The VMD has issued a product recall alert for a single batch of Salmovac 400.
Veterinary surgeons urged to examine their inventories immediately.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has issued a product recall alert for a batch of Salmovac 440, manufactured by CEVA Animal Health, over concerns about its efficacy.

Salmovac 440 is used in chickens to protect them against Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium. Usually administered via drinking water, it contains the contains the live Salmonella Enteritidis strain in freeze-dried form. 

The VMD writes: ‘We wish to make veterinary surgeons aware that Ceva Animal Health Ltd has initiated a Class II recall to veterinary level for the product Salmovac 440.

‘Following testing Ceva Animal Health Ltd have confirmed that Batch No. 3000520B with an Expiry date of 11 December 2021 has live bacterial count values (potency) below the authorised specification and there is potential for a lack of efficacy.

‘Ceva Animal Health Ltd is contacting veterinary surgeons to examine inventory immediately and quarantine products subject to this recall.’

Further information about the recall is available from Ms Helen Houghton, poultry business unit manager, on 01494 781510. 

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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. 

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.