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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.