Stéphanie FRANCO1 and Véronique DUQUESNE1 1 French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, Sophia Antipolis, France. (European Union Reference Laboratory for Bee Health and World Organisation for Animal Health Laboratory for Infestation of honey bees with Tropilaelaps spp.). Contact: eurl.bee@anses.fr To cite this note: Stéphanie Franco and Véronique Duquesne. 2025. “Geographical Spread of the Exotic Mite Tropilaelaps spp.: new reports from the Caucasus”. Scientific Note published on the website of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Bee Health on 24 August 2026.   This note presents an update of the geographical distribution and spread of Tropilaelaps spp. mites, parasites of bees and exotic in the European Union (EU), as of 24 August 2026. Previous states of play of the geographical distribution are available here. The presence of Tropilaelaps spp. is suspected in the Artvin region of Turkey, close to the border with Georgia (Figure 1).       Description   On 26 July 2026, a video showing mites identified as Tropilaelaps spp. in a honey bee colony in the Artvin region of north-eastern Turkey was recorded by Dr. Asli Özkirim, a Turkish researcher. The video was subsequently shared on social media by PHIRA-Science1, a UK-based organisation actively involved in Tropilaelaps research.   The information was relayed by Apimondia2 on 14 August 2026. According to the available information, the mites observed in the video were identified as Tropilaelaps mercedesae. The images appear consistent with the morphological and behavioural characteristics of Tropilaelaps spp. and the number of mites observed suggests a relatively high level of infestation.   However, this information has not been officially confirmed by the Turkish authorities. No official notification of the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. in Türkiye has been identified to date.   The suspected presence is located in the Artvin region, in north-eastern Turkey, close to the border with Georgia (Figures 1). The presence of T. mercedesae was confirmed in Georgia in 2024, in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, and the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. has also been suspected in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, in southern Georgia near the Turkish border.   1https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1UrkejkjLJ/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbyDsXgx1G_/?igsh=aGJwY2phMGl4ZHBi&igsi=aGJwY2phMGl4ZHBi 2High risk of spreading of Tropilaelaps mercedesae in Eastern Europe, after new detection in Turkey. - APIMONDIA (accessed on 20/08/2026)     Discussion   To date, this suspicion has neither been confirmed by official analyses, nor has it been notified to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). No scientific publication confirming this occurrence is currently available. Therefore, this information should be considered with caution.   The available information does not allow an accurate assessment of the epidemiological situation in Turkey. In particular, it is not possible to determine the extent of the infestation or when the mite was introduced into the area. The relatively high number of mites observed in the video may suggest that the mite has been present for some time, but this cannot currently be confirmed.   However, the potential presence of Tropilaelaps spp. in north-eastern Turkey is of concern, given the westward spread of T. mercedesae and its increasing proximity to the European Union.   Turkey is a major beekeeping country, with a large number of honey bee colonies and extensive migratory beekeeping. Movements of colonies may contribute to the spread of Tropilaelaps spp.   The potential spread of Tropilaelaps spp. in regions neighbouring the EU constitutes an increasingly serious threat to the European beekeeping sector.   This calls for increased vigilance regarding movements of bees and beekeeping material, which are rapid spread routes for the parasite. Regulations on entry into the EU and movements between Member States help to reduce the risk of introduction.   Early detection is essential to allow rapid action and, if possible, eradicate the mite before it becomes established. Once Tropilaelaps spp. is well established, eradication is no longer possible.   In case of suspicion, competent authorities must be notified as soon as possible. Suspect mites should be immediately sent to the national reference laboratory and/or to the competent authority for confirmation and appropriate surveillance and control measures.   A leaflet on Tropilaelaps spp. for beekeepers is available on the EURL website.   Figure 1 - Geographical distribution of...

The EURL for Rabies is glad to announce that the next Rabies Workshop will held the 25-26 May in Prague, Czech Republic. We are delighted to announce that this workshop will be followed by an International Meeting on Rabies Serology on 26-27 May. Please take note that this Workshop dedicated to NRL will be held on site only.  Save the Date in your agenda!

4 more EURCAW-Poultry-SFA factsheets have been translated into Italian!   Take a look here! 

7 more EURCAW-Poultry-SFA factsheets have been translated into Spanish!   Take a look here! 

The European Commission has adopted a new Livestock Strategy and accompanying Protein Action Plan designed to ensure the long-term strength, resilience, and sustainability of Europe’s livestock sector while reinforcing the continent’s food security.   The strategy, which is the first of its kind, outlines actions to help livestock farmers navigate economic, environmental, and market challenges. It is structured around five core priorities: A resilient livestock sector prepared for crisis A competitive livestock sector in the EU and globally A sustainable livestock sector A livestock sector fit for all farms and regions Excellence in livestock production   Progress on animal welfare The Strategy aimed to modernise EU animal welfare legislation and continue raising standards, in particular to follow-up on the European Citizens' Initiative ‘End the Cage Age.' First, the Commission will present by the end of 2026 a proposal to update animal welfare rules for laying hens and broilers. The proposals will also promote the uptake of innovative technologies, supported by EU funding, to improve animal welfare and respond to societal demand. This includes measures to phase out the systematic killing of male day-old chicks and better monitoring of animal welfare outcome indicators, with the support of innovative technical solutions.   Read more:  Factsheet on the Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan Questions and answers on the Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan  

Organized by EURCAW-Poultry-SFA. The webinar was held via Teams. Target audience: Official inspectors from the Competent Authorities of the EU MSs Attendance through invitation only.     The PDF of the presentation is available here. The webinar recording is available here.    Description: The webinar focused on the activity conducted by the EURCAW-Poultry-SFA on the depopulation methods used in the European Union during avian influenza outbreaks. EURCAW-Poultry-SFA presented the key deliverables of the depopulation activity, namely an overview of the main depopulation methods used in the European Union and their ranking based on poultry welfare – following the principles of the selection guide developed to help competent authorities choose the most appropriate depopulation method according to the specific context at stake.    Aim: The event aimed to help participants understand which depopulation methods should be applied from a welfare perspective depending on the specific context encountered (e.g., depending on the flock size, species at stake, or the available human and technical resources).   The webinar was attended by 103 people, from 15 EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden) and one EFTA country (Norway).    Schedule:   09h00 – 09h15:  Welcome & introduction (Virginie Michel & Louise Kremer)  09h15 – 10h00:  Presentation of key deliverables (Louise Kremer)  10h00- 10h15:  Group exercise (Louise Kremer)      This webinar has been organized within the sub-activity 4.2: Develop course material for specific topics, of the working program 2025-2027.

We are pleased to share a new Guidance focused on Animal-Based Indicators for Assessing Welfare Implications Related to Growth Rate in Broilers.   This guidance identifies animal-based indicators (ABIs) most suitable for assessing growth rate–related welfare. Walking ability is the most robust indicator, with strong evidence that faster growth impairs gait and is associated with pain, health issues, and reduced behavioural expression. Indicators of prolonged litter contact (e.g., footpad dermatitis, cleanliness) add context but depend on environmental conditions. Leg straightness reflects structural effects of growth, while activity measures (e.g., standing vs. immobile) complement mobility assessment. Other ABIs (e.g., mortality, behaviour, integument) provide broader context but are less specific to growth rate. Fear-based tests are unreliable. Overall, mobility- and activity-related ABIs should be prioritised, supported by standardised, multi-indicator assessments.   Take a look here: https://lnkd.in/eZE3HY9T   See our Broiler chicken web-page here. 

Availability of the document "List of antibacterial and dye substances to be taken into account for NRCP in line with EURL recommendations" (Version of June 2026);  

In agreement with DG SANTE the European Animal Welfare Reference Centres will visit veterinary inspectors in the different Member States in their own countries to be able to better support their work as inspectors in the field of husbandry, transport and slaughter. Amongst the consortium members it was agreed to deliver the second EURCAW-Poultry-SFA Roadshow in Spain.     The Spanish competent Authority expressed their interest in the topic: turkey welfare from farm to fork. On May 27 2026, 20  participants (veterinarians and competent authority representatives) from the main turkey producing regions plus seven observers from the central competent authority attended the event. Turkey outputs from the Centre were presented and case studies from the participants were discussed. 

We are pleased to share a new Indicator Factsheet focused on the use of enrichment in broiler.    Take a look: https://zenodo.org/records/20717156   See our Broiler chicken web-page here.