NOAH Condemns Illegal Imports

The National Office of Animal Health unreservedly deplores and condemns the illegal import of animal medicines.

NOAH director Roger Cook said today that the association has been working to assist the United Kingdom authorities to help combat this unacceptable trade.

Under UK and EU law there are very strict controls on the licensing, supply and use of animal medicines: these are essential to ensure animal and human health and to ensure that owners of animals receive the necessary advice on using these increasingly sophisticated products. The majority of products being illegally imported are Prescription Only Medicines: products for which the veterinary surgeon's role is vital. The vet provides correct diagnosis, correct prescription, gives advice on treatment and provides a follow-up service in the event of recurring disease.

"NOAH fully supports the responsible use of animal medicines. They should be sourced legitimately and used carefully, in accordance with the label. Their use should be recorded, " said Mr Cook.

"Anyone contravening the law by illegally importing medicines for short-term gain, risks enormous damage to the reputation of UK farmers and vets, and of UK livestock produce.

"The safety record of British livestock produce in relation to medicine residues is excellent. The 1998 figures, just published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, show 99.9% of samples to be free of detectable residues. This good news should not be jeopardised," he said.

In these difficult times for livestock farming, cost has been the excuse of those who evade the system. The strength of sterling is not only making illegal imports financially attractive, it is also limiting the ability of UK livestock farmers to compete competitively on the European market.

Since the abolition of retail price maintenance, animal medicines manufacturers have, quite rightly, had no control over the price of medicines reaching the farmer.

"The final on-farm price of Prescription Only Medicines includes the high cost of UK controls on licensing and distribution, the very high level of service provided by UK manufacturers, veterinary surgeons and wholesalers, the benefits of delivery and the veterinary surgeon's vital on-farm advice. Imported products may not be properly labelled for the UK market, or may carry advice inappropriate to UK conditions. To cut out these safeguards is a real false economy.

"Those who seek to take advantage of the exchange rates and different conditions overseas and still benefit from the highly supportive and world respected UK system deserve to suffer the full penalties of the law," added Mr Cook.

17 June 1999

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.

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 has 34 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £384 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.

3. The VMD's veterinary residues surveillance scheme plays a central role in ensuring that the consumer is protected against potentially harmful residues of veterinary medicines in food. The very low incidence of residues found and the huge safety margins in setting limits means the chances of an individual consumer being exposed in the long term to food containing harmful residues is extremely remote.

4. The VMD operates two complementary surveillance programmes, a statutory programme (National Surveillance Scheme) to implement EU legislation and a non-statutory scheme which supplements it.

5. There are powers under Residues Regulations and the Food Safety Act to remove from the food chain products containing residues at levels which represent a danger to human health. All samples above the Action Level are followed up and may result in a prosecution.

6. A summary of the results of the National Surveillance Scheme for Residues in Animals and Animal Products 1998 appeared in the April 1999 edition of MAVIS (Medicines Act Veterinary Information Service). Detailed 1998 results with a full commentary on the follow up investigations will be published in the VMD's Annual Report on Surveillance for Veterinary Residues in July. Copies of the Report will be available free of charge from Stephanie Hunt (VMD +44 (0)1932 338329).

7. In red meat 99.9% samples were free of detectable veterinary residues: 99.99% samples contained no antimicrobial residues or residues below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). No evidence of the use of synthetic steroids, beta-agonists or natural hormones was found in live or slaughtered animals. In poultry 98.7% samples were free of detectable residues.

8. There have been no positive samples 'to date' in 1999 (up to 24 March).