Food Gets the OK for Veterinary Medicines Residues

99.5% of food samples analysed for veterinary medicine residues in 1997 were clear. This is a further improvement to the 99.2% level achieved in 1996.

Welcoming the publication of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) Annual Report on Surveillance, chairman of NOAH Bill Hird said; "The results are good news and provide further reassurance to consumers about the food we all eat."

Only 0.13% of the samples taken were found to have residue levels over the legal Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). NOAH endorses the actions taken on the misuse of medicines, and the detailed control measures in place to protect consumer interests.

"Animal medicines have to undergo stringent approval procedures before being allowed onto the market", said Mr Hird. "This includes the establishment of a withdrawal period to ensure no harmful residues end up in our food."

NOAH regularly updates its publication 'Withdrawal Periods for Veterinary Products' to ensure farmers and veterinary surgeons have up to date information. In conjunction with the Animal Health Distributors Association (AHDA), it produces the Animal Medicines Record Book which can be used by producers to satisfy their legal requirement to log all medicines given to livestock.

23 July 1998

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)181 367 3131.
2. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association represents 51 companies which in 1997 accounted for around 95% of the £379 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.
3. Copies of the Report are available free of charge from the VMD, Tel: +44 (0)1932 336911.
4. The results of the VMD's statutory surveillance programme in Great Britain show that out of 39,652 samples tested
   • 39,454 samples (99.5%) were free of residues;
   • there was no evidence of the use of the banned synthetic steroids or clenbuterol
   • 146 samples (0.37%) contained concentrations below the Action Level;
   • 52 samples (0.13%) contained concentrations above the Action Level (or "positive");
   • 9 of these 52 samples (0.02%) contained concentrations which would have resulted in single intakes in excess of the relevant ADI.