29 January 2001
Latest VMD medicine code is in AHDA/NOAH record book
A revised and updated edition ofthe Veterinary Medicine Directorates Code of Practice for the Responsible Useof Medicines on Farm is now available on the VMD website. Giving sound,practical advice on animal medicine use, the new version of the Code is alsoincluded in the Animal Medicine Record Book, produced by AHDA and NOAH.
Endorsed by Food Safety MinisterBaroness Hayman, the book, a best seller for the last fifteen years, isdesigned to make recording animal medicine use on farms straightforward.
The use of animal medicines isstrictly controlled and farm record keeping is required by law. All theevidence, says the Minister in her foreword to the book, points to the factthat the vast majority of farmers know how important it is to use medicinesproperly and to observe withdrawal periods.
In 1999 99.8% of samples of animalproducts tested by the VMD were free of detectable veterinary medicines, andthese annual results have been consistently low.
The responsible use of animalmedicines leads to healthy food being produced from healthy animals. The recordbook, says the Minister, will continue to make a vital contribution toensuring that the food produced in the UK continues to be regarded by consumersaround the world as of the highest quality and free from potentially harmfulresidues of veterinary medicines.
The book is available, price 3.50including VAT and post & packaging, with discounts for bulk orders of 50 ormore, from AHDA, Gable Court, 8 Parsons Hill, Hollesley, Woodbridge, SuffolkIP12 3RB.
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. For further informationcontact NOAH or AHDA. NOAH can becontacted on 020 8367 3131, e-mail noah@noah.co.ukor visit the NOAH website http://www.noah.co.uk AHDA can becontacted on 01394 410444, e-mail info@ahda.org.uk or visit the AHDAwebsite http://www.ahda.org.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 34 corporate members and 12 associatemembers. In 1999 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the 366 million UKanimal health market, with additional valuable exports.
3. TheAnimal Health Distributors Association (AHDA) was established on 5 August 1985and is an association of responsible animal health product distributors,dedicated to serving the best interests of its members; in particular byprotecting their rights to sell and supply, and securing the continuedavailability of, a wide range of non-prescription animal medicines. The association also strives to secure thecontinued availability of such medicines for its members by constantnegotiation with manufacturers, government and the European Union.
4. TheMAFF Code of Practice for the Responsible Use of Animal Medicines on Farms isendorsed by 22 veterinary and farming organisations, including AHDA and NOAH.
5. TheVMD website is http://www.vmd.gov.uk.