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 11 December 2025. It can be downloaded as a pdf here. Previous states of play of the geographical distribution are available here. The presence of Tropilaelaps spp. has been reported in the autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, and suspected in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia (Figures 1 & 2). The map of the worldwide geographical distribution of Tropilaelaps spp. has been updated accordingly (Figure 3).   Description   Presence in the Republics of Abkhazia and of Dagestan A study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in an apiary from the Krasnodar region of Russia to investigate the specificities of the infestation by Tropilaelaps mercedesae in Russia (Brandorf et al. 2025). The mite has been present in this region since the summer of 2021 (Brandorf et al. 2024). The study compared the morphological characteristics of the local mite population with those from other regions and countries. Among these other regions and countries, 200 specimens were collected in the Gagra district of the autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, situated in northwestern Georgia, and another 200 specimens were collected in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, located in southwestern Russia at the eastern end of the North Caucasus (Figures 1 & 2). This constitutes the first reported occurrence of Tropilaelaps mercedesae presence in these two territories.   Suspected presence in another region of Georgia Discussions between the Anses[1] laboratory of Sophia Antipolis, a French association for rural development and a local Georgian beekeeper association suggest the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, situated in southern Georgia near the frontier with Turkey and Armenia (personal communications, 2025) (Figures 1 & 2). In 2024, the presence of T. mercedesae was confirmed in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region in northwestern Georgia (Janashia et al. 2024; WOAH website, consulted on 11 December 2025).   Discussion These suspicions have neither been confirmed by official analyses, nor have been notified to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and no data have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals. Thus, this information should be considered with caution.   These data do not allow for an accurate description of the epidemiological situation in the affected territories. They do not originate from official surveillance systems but rather from scientific projects focusing on one or a limited number of apiaries, or from informal feedback. Their objective is neither to assess the prevalence of Tropilaelaps spp. nor its spread.   However, the potential spread of Tropilaelaps in regions neighbouring the EU constitutes an increasingly serious threat to the European beekeeping sector (Figure 2).   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 make it possible to limit the risk of introduction.   The early detection of any possible introduction is essential to attempt eradication and prevent the mite establishment. Tropilaelaps spp. mites can no longer be eradicated once it is well established.   In case of suspicion, competent authorities must be notified as soon as possible. All suspect Tropilaelaps mite specimens should be immediately sent to the national reference laboratory and/or to the competent authority for confirmation and for the implementation of appropriate surveillance and control measures. A leaflet on Tropilaelaps spp. aimed at raising awareness among beekeepers is available on the EURL website.     Figure 1 Geographical distribution of the two species of Tropilaelaps spp. observed in A. mellifera (T. clareae and T. mercedesae) in Asia and Europe, including newly confirmed detections since 2016 as of 11 December 2025. Please click on the figure to access the map with higher resolution.     Figure 2 Geographical distribution of Tropilaelaps spp. in territories close to the European continent as of 11 December 2025. Please click on the figure to access the map with higher resolution.   Figure 3 Worldwide geographical distribution of the two species of Tropilaelaps spp. observed in A. mellifera (T. clareae and T. mercedesae) as 11 December 2025. Please click on the figure to access the map with higher resolution.   Explanation of the legend for Figures 1, 2 & 3: Confirmed presence: the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. has been officially reported to the WOAH and/or documented in a peer-...

The Selection Guide is online!  This selection guide has been developed for competent authorities, but it is available to any interested party. It is structured as a hierarchy of decision trees designed to determine whether a given depopulation method can be used while ensuring poultry welfare. Have a look here.  For more information visit our sub-page here. 

Registration is now open for the 17th Rabies Workshop, which will be held from May 19 to 20 (morning) in Padova, Italy!  You can also register for a training course on bat health surveillance as part of the European OneBAT project, which will be held from May 20 (afternoon) to May 21. These two events will be held in person only. Registration for this event is restricted to National Reference Laboratories from European Union Member States and selected partners of the EURL network and can be done until January 9, 2026.   See you soon in Padova !

Join the CIR (EU) 2021/808 WEBINAR EVENT. Please register here : https://app.livestorm.co/inrae/cir-eu-2021808-of-22-march-2021-part-iv/live?s=69205c13-b7ae-4059-aba7-dd2da5b3309f      

Three new 'Question to EURCAWs' (Q2Es) hve been published on Broiler Cannibalism: - Q2E-2025-006: Broiler Cannibalism Causative Factors availalbe here: https://zenodo.org/records/17484921; - Q2E-2025-006: Broiler Cannibalism Prevention availalbe here: https://zenodo.org/records/17485033.; - Q2E-2025-007: Broiler Cannibalism Emergency Measures availalbe here: https://zenodo.org/records/17856303.   To see more, take a look at and at our Question to EURCAW's subpage! 

How long can broilers stand?  We have created our first Knowledge Pill  about determining the walking ability in broilers using the latency-to-lie test. Walking ability is a relevant animal-based indicator of #welfare in broilers, and the latency-to-lie test is an alternative method to the traditional gait scoring assessment. Do you want to know more? See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRzrWv29CcQ

We are pleased to announce that the SafeFood4ClimDiet project will take part in the SFSE (Société Francophone de Santé et Environnement) 2025 Congress, “Food systems, health and environment: what progress to inform societal debates?”, held on 27–28 November 2025 at the Institut de Botanique, Montpellier. This year’s edition highlights the major challenges and necessary transformations of food systems, viewed through a systemic One Health approach. It also places a special focus on France’s overseas departments and territories (DROM-COM), whose specific social, climatic and environmental contexts are central to ongoing food-system transitions. During the poster session, Yann Le Bodo will present poster #8: “Climate change and dietary practices: exploring emerging trends to anticipate associated public health issues.”  The poster introduces preliminary findings from Work Package 1, which investigates emerging or evolving consumer practices in a changing climate, drawing on qualitative analysis and early text-mining outputs to identify weak signals and emerging trends. Come meet us in Montpellier to learn more about how SafeFood4ClimDiet contributes to understanding the links between climate disruption, dietary behaviours and microbiological hazards, key insights to support future public-health strategies and food-system transitions. More information about the congress

Method for the detection and confirmatory quantification of five nitrofuran metabolite residues in honey using LC-MS/MS ANSES/LMV/25/02 - V1 of October 2025   See also the new method for nitrofurans in the other biological matrices.

Method for the detection and confirmatory quantification of five nitrofuran metabolite residues in biological matrices using LC-MS/MS ANSES/LMV/19/01 - V6 of October 2025   See also the new method for nitrofurans in honey only. 

The Webishop on Depopulation methods in cases of Avian Influenza has been organized on November 6, 2025 morning. ​ The online event focused on the activity conducted by the EURCAW-Poultry-SFA on the depopulation methods used in the European Union during avian influenza outbreaks. ​ ​ It was structured in two parts: ​ 1. A webinar in which 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.​ 2. An interactive workshop during which participants reviewed the welfare assessment protocols developed by EURCAW-Poultry-SFA for on-site depopulation operations when non-penetrative captive bolt stunning, whole-house gassing or gassing in gradually-filled containers are used. Participants provided feedback on their validity and feasibility in field conditions.​ ​ A total of 103 participants from 15 EU Member States have participated. ​ ​ 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). It also aimed to gather feedback from field actors on the validity and feasibility of the welfare-assessment protocols developed, to ensure that they are usable in practice and applicable across countries despite variations in operating procedures.​   The webinar presentation is available here.