Representing the Manufacturers of Animal Medicines

National Office of Animal Health Ltd

3 Crossfield Chambers, Gladbeck Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN27HF

Tel: (+44) 020 83673131 Facsimile: (+44) 020 8363 1155

e-mail: a.glennon@noah.co.uk

PressRelease

11 June 2003

DEFRAs strategy for science - industryexperts have a lot to offer

DEFRAs new science strategy hasacknowledged that medicines are important to the health and welfare of animals.Welcoming the publication of the strategy Delivering the Evidence, NOAH saysit is good to see science being put firmly at the heart of DEFRA policy for thefuture only by rooting policy in good science can consumer confidence betruly earned and animal health, and hence welfare, in the UK be improved.

DEFRA scientists will work inpartnership with others, and experts in animal medicine companies have a lot tooffer. Industry experts include many scientists, including veterinarysurgeons, who are involved in the cutting edge of developing new research and technologiesto prevent and treat animal disease. They can recognise opportunities andpitfalls. They have studied how diseases progress and are transmitted. Theywould be happy to help, explained NOAH chief executive Phil Sketchley. NOAHhas already volunteered its expertise.

One priority for public and animalhealth, according to the report, is to identify and minimise or manage therisk to humans and the environment from the necessary use of veterinarymedicines in animals. While NOAH is pleased that DEFRA has recognised the useof medicines as being necessary (this word being an important addition to theproposed wording of this priority in the draft strategy), the association isconcerned that this does not go far enough. Improved animal welfare and foodsafety for consumers may mean increased use of medicines, for examplesalmonella has been virtually eliminated from UK eggs with the stringent use ofvaccines to prevent the disease playing a huge role.

The myth that animal medicines are a negative thing still seemsto have been given some credence. While managing risk is of course laudable,this is happening already through the stringent scientific criteria an animalmedicine has to satisfy when going through the regulatory process, before it isallowed on the market, and measures arealready in place to ensure that authorised products are used, said MrSketchley. We need to make sure this approach is balanced.

As exemplified above, we need tomaximise the benefit to humans, the environment and animals by greaterinvestment in R & D to ensure effective medicines including vaccines, areavailable to ensure healthy animals and food! After all, healthy food does comefrom healthy animals, and healthy animals are conducive to a thriving ruraleconomy, he added.

Ends

Notes for editors

1. For further informationcontact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH on 020 8367 3131, or by email noah@noah.co.uk or look at the NOAH website www.noah.co.uk.

2. The National Office ofAnimal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies whichresearch, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. Theassociation has 36 corporate members and 13 associate members. In 2002 NOAH'smembers accounted for well over 90% of the 389 million UK animal health market