NOAH Conference to highlight the link between healthy animals and safe foodThe National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) is hosting a conference on 30 November at Tower 42 in Old Broad Street, London, to explore the positive role that animal medicines can play in delivering safe food to consumers. At the conference ‘Healthy Animals - Safe Food’, the Institute of Grocery Distribution will present new research findings on public attitudes to farm animal health, food production and the role of animal medicines, and these will be discussed by Sue Lockhart from Sainsbury’s. “This event should be of great interest to those involved with producing food from British livestock, especially those beyond the farm gate,” explained NOAH chief executive Phil Sketchley. “But we believe that the presentations and opportunity for discussion will appeal to an even wider audience,” he added. Other sessions will include the role of the animal health industry and emerging technologies. The sessions will seek to tackle the wide range of challenges facing the food chain, awareness of the positive role animal medicines can play, the importance of their responsible use, and the threat of diseases being transmitted to humans through globalisation of disease related issues. Contributors on these issues will include Peter Allen, Chairman of RUMA (the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance); veterinary surgeon Matt Dobbs; and there will be ample time for delegates to debate these important issues, and any others close to their heart, with a panel including John FitzGerald of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and Dr Ed Komorowski, of Dairy UK. Mr Sketchley said, “Our last conference in December 2004 was a great success and enabled us to have open and fruitful discussions with many members of the food chain. This time around we want to build on that success and look forward to exploring new ideas and issues with delegates from all areas of the food industry.” He continued, “The conference will be a great opportunity for those involved in food production to increase their knowledge about many of the issues related to animal health, and also help to inform the various debates.” Stressing the vital role animal medicines play in delivering safe food to consumers, he stated, “As the industry is regulated by stringent procedures we are able to deliver the highest quality and safe food products from healthy animals. This conference will seek to highlight the benefits of these stringent regulations and give visitors a deeper understanding of the advances being made throughout the field of animal medicines.” The NOAH conference ‘Healthy Animals – Safe Food’ takes place from 9am on Thursday 30th November at Tower 42, Level 24, Old Broad Street, London. Registration takes place at 8.15am and coffee and bacon butties will be available. The conference will close with lunch at 1pm and will include the presentation of The Guild of Agricultural Journalists Award for the best animal welfare article. For further information and tickets contact Alison Glennon at NOAH on 020 8367 3131 or a.glennon@noah.co.uk
3 November 2006 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 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 32 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 2004 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £398 million UK animal health market
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