Industry launches practical guide poster for dairy farmers on avoiding antibiotic residues

A poster with pointers on how dairy farmers can make sure their milk always meets the stringent antibiotic residues standards has been launched. It will be distributed to all dairy producers – free of charge – throughout October.

Produced and designed by NOAH in conjunction with Dairy UK and Milk Quality Forum; supported by organisations involved with milk production in the UK, including the Veterinary Residues Committee (VRC) and British Cattle Veterinary Association and sponsored by Pfizer, Elanco and the MDC, the poster was due to have been on display for the first time at this year’s Dairy Event as part of the Farm Health Planning exhibit.

The A2-size, laminated poster, which has also been supported and endorsed by organisations including members of Dairy UK, Defra, the NFU, and the Food Standards Agency, is designed to help dairy producers ensure their milk always makes the grade. The ‘practical guide to avoiding milk antibiotic residues’ poster is key to managing both herd health and milk quality, according to NOAH chief executive Philip Sketchley.

“The quality of British milk is excellent. But for dairy farmers, every penny counts,” said Mr Sketchley. “Dairy farmers need to avoid any slip-ups which will mean they lose money, as milk which does not make the antibiotic testing limits cannot be included in dairy supplies. The residue testing system is incredibly stringent - and residue figures published by the VRC show it is very successful in maintaining this milk quality,” he added.

“All the major organisations involved in UK dairy industry are delighted to have worked together to make this poster available to every UK dairy producer. We believe that the assistance it can give cannot be over emphasised,” he said.

“In order to facilitate the speedy distribution of this poster, National Milk Records has kindly agreed to deliver them in bulk to each milk buyer depot via its transport service.

“We are then asking the milk depots to arrange for one of these posters to be placed in the parlour on each of the farms that it visits,” he explained.

It is anticipated that all deliveries to depot and dairy producers will be complete by the middle of October.

The posters will also be displayed at the practices of BCVA-member vets and is being sent to all cattle vets by BCVA.

“If any UK dairy farmer in the UK has not received their poster by the end of October, they should tell their veterinary practice. The practice will arrange through NOAH for a copy to be sent,” added Mr Sketchley.

17 September 2007

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Phil Sketchley 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 UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 31 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 2006 the NOAH sales survey showed a total market of £373.2m, around 90% of the total UK market.

3. The poster, called ‘Practical Guide to avoiding milk antibiotic residues’ is sponsored by MDC, Elanco and Pfizer, and supported by NOAH, RUMA (the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance); Dairy UK; Veterinary Residues Committee; British Cattle Veterinary Association; FSA (Food Standards Agency); NMR and NFU.
4. Detailed results of the statutory and non-statutory residue surveillance programmes are available at http://www.vet-residues-committee.gov.uk/Reports/annual.htm