NOAH supports ACMSF’s ‘evolution not revolution’ on antibiotics for animals

The National Office of Animal Health has welcomed the publication today of the report of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) on antibiotic resistance and food safety.

"This has been a thorough and detailed three year study, and has led to thoughtful and well argued recommendations," said NOAH director Roger Cook. "We particularly welcome Professor Georgala’s insistence on ‘evolution not revolution’ and his statement that ‘there is not a crisis’. Animal health companies look forward to work alongside the veterinary and medical professions to prevent any crisis developing."

Additionally, Mr Cook noted that in the three years since the group started work, the recommendations made in the ACMSF press release have been adopted by the UK and EU authorities and the veterinary, farming and animal medicine industries working together.

Mr Cook highlighted the RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture) alliance as fundamental to these activities: "RUMA involves organisations representing every stage of the "farm to fork" chain, promoting a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice. This means the whole food chain is acting together to ensure the safety of British meat offered to consumers," said Mr Cook.

Following 18 months work, this summer RUMA launched guidelines on the responsible use of antibiotics in pig and poultry: guidelines for cattle and sheep will be published soon. The overall aim is to promote best practice in livestock husbandry to reduce the need for antibiotic usage.

18 August 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. Copies of the report and synopsis of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological safety of Food ‘Report on Microbial Antibiotic Resistance’ are available from the Stationery Office. The report is priced at £27.50 (ISBN 0-11-322283-1) and the synopsis £7.50 (ISBN 0-11-322295-5).

4. The role of the ACMSF is to provide the Government with independent expert advice on the microbiological safety of food. The Committee’s chairman is Professor D L Georgala, an independent scientific consultant and retired director of the Institute of Food Research.