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

25February 2003

FSA Consumer Attitude Survey: good newsavailable on veterinary residues

Theres good news on veterinaryresidues in food, says the National Office of Animal Health.

In a new consumer attitude surveypublished by the Food Standards Agency, which showed consumer concern aboutfood to be dropping, forty four percent of consumers wanted to learn more aboutchemicals in their food. But, for veterinary medicines, the information is alreadyavailable.

The independent Veterinary ResiduesCommittee report published last October, giving residues surveillance figuresfor 2001, concluded that no UKauthorised use of a veterinary medicinal product resulted in a residue whichwould give cause for concern for human health: a high level of compliancewith safe use of animal medicines is being achieved.

"These figures are excellentand show animal medicines are being used responsibly," said PhilSketchley, NOAH chief executive. "Out of the 44,000 samples tested, 99.73%had no residues of animal medicines above the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). TheFood Standards Agency's toxicologists advised that the very few where residueswere detected were of no concern for human health.

The UK animal medicines industryand its regulators has a good record on publishing information. But sometimes success is not news. We would welcomethe opportunity to discuss with the Food Standards Agency and otherstakeholders, how, through consumers advice sources of choice - broadcast andprint media - we can help spread the word about the role of animal medicines inthe production of healthy food from healthy animals, said Mr Sketchley.

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Philip Sketchley or Alison Glennon on 020 8367 3131, e-mail noah@noah.co.uk or visit the NOAH website www.noah.co.uk.

2. TheNational Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent theUK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animalhealth products. The association has 36 corporate members and 13 associatemembers. In 2001 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the 359 million UKanimal health market, with additional valuable exports.

3. The survey can be found on the FSA website http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk