New Food Agency: NOAH Offers Help

The National Office of Animal Health will welcome the opportunity to work with new Agriculture Minister, Dr Jack Cunningham, on the development of the new independent Food Agency.

But, says NOAH director Roger Cook, the Report by Professor James published today seems to overlook the fact that there is no evidence of food safety problems resulting from animal medicines.

The Report proposes that all safety assessment of veterinary medicines should come under the control of the new Agency, rather than the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. 'But it must be remembered that safety of animal medicines goes far beyond safety to consumers, although that is a vital consideration', said Mr Cook. 'It encompasses safety to the animal itself, safety to the user of the medicine and safety to the environment. Would the food specialists at the new Agency be best qualified to deal with these aspects? And what about the safety of medicines for companion animals, which will have no contact with the human food chain'

NOAH believes that Food Agency experts would have an important supporting role to the current independent expert committee dealing with the licensing of animal medicines, the Veterinary Products Committee. 'The VPC already has advisors from the Health and Safety Executive on operator safety and the Environment Agency on environmental aspects. Food safety experts are already involved: their co-ordination through the new Agency would seem a logical progression,' said Mr Cook.

There is a long established system which has served Britain well and has been steadily adapted to fit the latest EU legislation. Professor James' proposals could conflict with this practice.

'NOAH wants neither duplication of effort nor fragmentation, which would cause inefficiencies. NOAH was not previously given the opportunity to comment but Dr Cunningham has now given a commitment to consult. We look forward to the chance to work with him', he said.

9 May 1997