British milk in top league of safe foodsBritain’s dairy farmers are using animal medicines safely and responsibly – and making certain that the milk they produce is in the top league of safe foods for consumers. The modern dairy cow is carefully tended and every effort is taken to ensure that she does not fall prey to disease. Just as with humans, they are vaccinated against a number of diseases, and great measures are taken to ensure that mastitis, a painful udder infection, does not take hold. The responsible use of animal medicines is crucial to maintain herd health status – and to ensure that no medicine produces a residue in the milk which could give cause for concern for human health. Latest figures from the Veterinary Residues Committee, an independent committee set up to advise the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Food Standards Agency, confirmed that no UK authorised use of a veterinary medicine resulted in any residues in milk. Tim Brigstocke, chairman of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, said: “This is a firm confirmation that dairy farmers are technically efficient and are ‘doing what it says on the bottle’. We encourage the responsible use of medicines in agriculture and it is very important that medicines are used properly and to optimum effect. “As far as dairy farming is concerned, the use of medicines such as those for mastitis control make sure that milk is fit for the purpose intended – consumption by humans,” he added. “What we are talking about here is good agricultural practice – and good animal welfare – and it is to be commended.” For the National Office of Animal Health, the trade association for the manufacturers of animal medicines, chief executive Philip Sketchley added: “We have been delighted by the latest figures which show that withdrawal periods do work and successfully protect the consumer. Farmers should be congratulated on these results as they illustrate the ‘gold standards’ that UK farming can achieve in food production. "However, it is important that those who draft future regulations understand that responsible use does not always mean less use. It is as responsible to use a medicine to stop an animal getting sick – vaccines for example – as it is to cure a sick animal. Preventive medicine for both farm and companion animals should be the way forward in responsible medicine use to protect animal health and welfare."
23 May 2003 Notes for EditorsFor further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website. The RABDF (Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers) is the only independent organisation addressing the many issues facing the UK dairy industry. See www.rabdf.co.uk for more information 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 14 associate members. In 2002 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £389 million UK animal health market
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