Weekly Livestock-Equine News: November 17, 2025

FDA urged to withdraw approval for swine feed additive

A coalition of 20 public health and animal welfare organizations have written to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., urging the agency immediately withdraw its approval of Carbadox, a swine feed additive which has been shown to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals. In 2023, FDA published an order revoking the regulatory method (i.e., the residue detection method) for Carbadox but has yet to withdraw its approval for it.

ECO expects mid-2026 EU launch of poultry vaccine targeting Mycoplasma synoviae

London-based ECO Animal Health Group received a Positive Opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use regarding its ECOVAXXIN MS poultry vaccine, targeting Mycoplasma synoviae. A commercial launch in the EU is expected by mid-2026.

Digital Horse Passport to facilitate cross-border movement

The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body for equestrian sport, announced the Digital Horse Passport will begin phased-in implementation in 2026. The system is intended to enhance efficiency, strengthen biosecurity standards and facilitate cross-border movement by consolidating data such as horse identification, health records, vaccination history, travel documents and microchip scans into a single, integrated platform.

Missouri cattle producers urged to watch for Theileria orientalis (ikeda)

University of Missouri Director of Veterinary Extension Craig Payne is urging cattle producers to watch for signs of disease associated with Theileria orientalis (ikeda), a protozoal organism recently detected in Missouri. The organism, which primarily affects cattle, infects red blood cells. The immune system attacks the infected cells, resulting in anemia. The disease is primarily spread by the invasive Asian longhorned tick.

Gerosynth Labs launches Mytulin EQ equine nutritional supplement

Gerosynth Labs, parent company of Mytosynth Nutraceuticals LLC, announced the launch of Mytulin EQ, an equine nutritional supplement designed to promote musculoskeletal strength, gastrointestinal balance and mitochondrial rejuvenation. It is derived from wild chaga mushrooms from Alaska’s Arctic Circle.

Ag secretary pledges to address farm labor issues

Speaking at the National Milk Producers Federation annual meeting on Nov. 11, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted the importance of farm labor issues, pledging to seek federal changes to rules and regulations in coordination with the departments of Labor and Homeland Security while noting that broader changes will require congressional action. “We are acutely aware of the unique labor needs of the dairy industry,” she said.