MAFF must learn from Committee criticisms says NOAH
NOAH has welcomed the report of the Agriculture Committee on the way MAFF handled the decision to suspend OP Sheep Dips and withdraw them from the market on 20
December 1999.
Roger Cook, director of NOAH said: "This report is not just about OPs or sheep dips. It is principally about how Ministers
receive advice, decisions are made and affected parties informed. Thus it applies,
potentially, to all medicines and to all product sectors regulated by MAFF."
"The Agriculture
Committee has criticised MAFF’s actions
and we support that criticism, which reflects many of our own concerns. What is important
now is to learn and change. Proper procedures must be introduced by MAFF so that if problems emerge in the future
Ministers, officials and those affected, whether manufacturers, vets, distributors or
farmers, can work together, as a team, to agree and act on the most effective, practical
solution to any new problem," he said.
"We look forward to working with MAFF and allied organisations to put the lessons of
this unhappy episode to good effect," said Mr Cook. "In the meantime we also
welcome the Committee’s call for OP dips to return to
the market. Last week manufacturers presented proposals to the Veterinary Products Committee and await their
response."
23 May 2000
Notes for Editors
- For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131,
or visit the NOAH website.
- 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 35 corporate members and 12
associate members. In 1999 NOAH's members accounted for
around 95% of the £371 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.
- Copies of the Agriculture
Committee’s full report can be found on the internet.
See also
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