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FVE

FVE - Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
www.fve.org
 
 
 
 
 Further Revision of Animal Welfare Legislation is Just Around the Corner!
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Call for Evidence published in June 2025 is now open for public consultation and  follows up on the Commissions commitment to phase-out the use of cages for certain animals. FVE, together with its members, submitted its response in June with data and insights on
  • Phasing out of cages 
  • Welfare Indicators and digitalisation 
  • Import requirements 
  • Killing of male day-old chicks in the laying hens’ sector 
This public consultation is open until 12 December 2025. Please share your comments and feedback by 8 December. Your input will crucial to fine-tune this initiative!
 
 
 
 
Spain confirms first case of Lumpy Skin Disease
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After recent outbreaks in Italy and France, Spain has reported its first case of lumpy skin disease (LSD). The virus was first diagnosed on 1 October in a 123-cow dairy farm in Alt d’Ampordà, near Figueres (Catalunya), about 20 km from the French border, and confirmed on 3 October by PCR testing.
Three cows showed fever and skin nodules. Authorities sealed the farm, imposed movement restrictions, and set up a 50 km surveillance zone extending into southern France, accorting to the report sent to World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
The affected herd has links to two nearby farms with over 1,000 cattle. The source of infection is still unknown.
LSD, a capripoxvirus disease of cattle, continues to spread in southern Europe, with 30 outbreaks in Italy and 79 in France reported by early October.
 
 
 
 
Veterinary Voices at the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maurizio Ferri and Wiebke Jansen joined the 4th and 5th focus meetings of the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism (EFSCM). The 4th meeting focused on stockpiling, building on three key developments: the adoption of the EU Stockpiling Strategy, the proposed revision of the Common Market Organisation Regulation, and feedback from the stockpiling questionnaire (May 2025). Cross-sectional Stakeholders prioritised veterinary products for rolling stocks, while Member States emphasised edible cereals and grains. Discussions reviewed preparedness gaps, EFSCM’s role as a platform for coordination, and alignment with broader EU frameworks. The 5th meeting aimed to strengthen stakeholder input into the qualitative assessment of food supply and food security in the EU. This complements the Dashboard on food supply and food security, offering space for feedback on factors too sensitive or complex for public data. As part of the Contingency Plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis, the European Commission publishes this assessment twice a year, with the next report due in autumn 2025. The next EFSCM plenary will take place on 22 October 2025.
 
 
 
 
EFSA Webinar on Welfare of Animals Kept for Fur Production
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On 29 September, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) hosted a webinar on the welfare of animals kept for fur production, chaired by Yves Van der Stede. Lucie Carrouee (European Commission) opened the event by outlining the scientific context and EFSA’s role in supporting policy decisions. Marika Vitali (EFSA) presented EFSA’s methodology, stakeholder engagement process, and approach to assessing animal welfare in fur farming. While, Mette Herskin shared the main findings of the Scientific Opinion, focusing on the welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dogs, and chinchillas.

During the Q&A session, EFSA clarified that decisions on potential bans are beyond its mandate, as its role is to provide scientific evidence. 
Key welfare concerns identified include: 
  • handling stress
  • inadequate space  
  • enrichment
  • unmet behavioural needs such as grooming, foraging, and exploration.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Specific findings highlighted the importance of sand-baths for chinchillas and the risks of group stress and injuries in mink. EFSA also noted that scientific data on optimal space, enrichment, and welfare benchmarks remain limited. 

In light of the ongoing debate on the welfare implications of fur production, FVE is currently preparing a position paper advocating for the phase-out of fur farming in Europe.
 
 
 
 
FEI Webinar for FEEVA Members: HorseApp Vaccination Module
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On 29 September 2025, FEEVA members joined a dedicated FEI Webinar on the HorseApp Vaccination Module, attracting 136 participants, a clear sign of the strong interest in practical updates and direct dialogue with FEI representatives.
The webinar served as a valuable platform to share challenges from the field, explore solutions with the FEI, and exchange questions and experiences.
Programme highlights:
  • Chair: Joe Collins (FEEVA President)
  • Presentation of issues: Vincent Boureau (AVEF)
  • Responses from FEI representatives: Gaspard Dufour, Göran Åkerström, Jenny Hall
  • Moderation: Joe Collins & Lucy Grieve
A lively interactive discussion and Q&A session closed the event.
 
Missed it? The full recording is available HERE.
 
 
 
 
VetJoy Session on DEI in Veterinary Education
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On 2 October, FVE and IVSA Europe co-chaired an open session as part of the VetJoy outreach programme “Vet For a Day”, focusing on championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DEI) in veterinary education. The event highlighted the role of DEI ambassadors in outreach, with practical examples of how veterinary students and associations can inspire the next generation.

A case study from IVSA Estonia, presented by its President Maria Kontu, showcased their university’s outreach activities with secondary schools. These include in-person visits to share insights about veterinary studies and campus life, as well as an online Moodle course providing further information. International students, including Maria herself, also engage directly with schools such as Saski in Finland, which offers a veterinary-oriented programme. Maria noted that although only a few of Saski’s 18 annual participants pursue a veterinary career, the initiative helps young people clarify their interests early, ultimately making space for more motivated candidates.

FVE underlined that VetJoy aims to connect and empower stakeholders to create knowledge and opportunities within the veterinary profession. Early engagement with students and IVSA chapters is key to preventing disinterest and nurturing a sense of community in the profession.

Provide guidance to the next generation of veterinarians by getting involved with VetJoy! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Brochures on Foot-and-Mouth Disease Prevention and Response
 
 
The Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection, together with the Bavarian State Chamber of Veterinarians and FVE, has released two new brochures providing practical guidance on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). These resources are designed to support veterinarians and stakeholders in preventing and addressing potential outbreaks of this highly contagious disease.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The first brochure focuses on biosecurity measures, offering clear recommendations for reducing the risk of virus introduction and spread on farms. The second sets out the procedure for diagnostic examinations and actions in suspected cases, providing step-by-step guidance to ensure rapid detection, reporting, and response.
 
We encourage all colleagues to familiarise themselves with these materials and share them widely within the veterinary community. Heightened awareness and preparedness remain key to safeguarding animal health, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring resilience in the face of potential FMD threats.
 
👉 Brochure on Biosecurity measures
👉 Brochure on Procedure for diagnostic examinations and in suspected cases
 
 
Share Your News with the European Veterinary Community!

Have you or your organisation achieved something noteworthy in support of our common goals at a national level? We’d love to highlight your success in the FVE Weekly Newsletter!
Send us your news to info@fve.org.