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
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.

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
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.