Latest VMD medicine code is in AHDA/NOAH record book

A revised and updated edition of the Veterinary Medicine Directorate's Code of Practice for the Responsible Use of Medicines on Farm is now available on the VMD website. Giving sound, practical advice on animal medicine use, the new version of the Code is also included in the Animal Medicine Record Book, produced by AHDA and NOAH.

Endorsed by Food Safety Minister Baroness Hayman, the book, a best seller for the last fifteen years, is designed to make recording animal medicine use on farms straightforward.

The use of animal medicines is strictly controlled and farm record keeping is required by law. "All the evidence," says the Minister in her foreword to the book, "points to the fact that the vast majority of farmers know how important it is to use medicines properly and to observe withdrawal periods."

In 1999 99.8% of samples of animal products tested by the VMD were free of detectable veterinary medicines, and these annual results have been consistently low.

The responsible use of animal medicines leads to healthy food being produced from healthy animals. The record book, says the Minister, "will continue to make a vital contribution to ensuring that the food produced in the UK continues to be regarded by consumers around the world as of the highest quality and free from potentially harmful residues of veterinary medicines".

The book is available, price £3.50 including VAT and post & packaging, with discounts for bulk orders of 50 or more, from AHDA, Gable Court, 8 Parsons Hill, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3RB.

29 January 2001

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact NOAH or AHDA. NOAH can be contacted on +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website. AHDA can be contacted on +44 (0)1394 410 444, or visit the AHDA 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 35 corporate members and 11 associate members. NOAH's members account for around 95% of the £368 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.
3. The Animal Health Distributors' Association (AHDA) was established on 5 August 1985 and is an association of responsible animal health product distributors, dedicated to serving the best interests of its members; in particular by protecting their rights to sell and supply, and securing the continued availability of, a wide range of non-prescription animal medicines. The association also strives to secure the continued availability of such medicines for its members by constant negotiation with manufacturers, government and the European Union.
4. The MAFF Code of Practice for the Responsible Use of Animal Medicines on Farms is endorsed by 22 veterinary and farming organisations, including AHDA and NOAH.
5. The VMD website is http://www.vmd.gov.uk/