TheSafety of Food from Animals
Use of animal medicines in farm animals isstrictly controlled by European law, and requires observance of the withdrawal period. This is the time which passes between thelast dose given to the animal and the time when the level of residues in thetissues (muscle, liver, kidney, skin/fat) or products (milk, eggs, honey) fallsbelow the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL).Until the withdrawal period has elapsed, the animal or its products mustnot be used for human consumption.
Briefing documents
Maximum Residue Limits and the Safetyof Food from Animals
Press releases
· Why Animals Need Medicines Too (1 July 2001)
NOAH Responds to Organic Lobby Report (5 June 2001)
Latest VMD medicine code is in AHDA/NOAH record book (29 January 2001)
New NOAH Withdrawal Period Book (27 July2000)
Millennium edition of Animal Medicine Record Book now available (28 March 2000)
Further information
VMD document Facts AboutVeterinary Residues in Food
Further information on the residues surveillanceprogramme, including Results of Statutory and Non-Statutory Residues Surveillancein 2000, is available from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
VMD response to June 2001 SoilAssociation report
Responsible Use of Medicines inAgriculture (RUMA) Alliance
Code ofPractice for the Responsible Use of Animal Medicines on the Farm