23 May 2000

MAFF must learn from Committee criticisms says NOAH

NOAH has welcomed the report of theAgriculture Committee on the way MAFF handled the decision to suspend OP SheepDips and withdraw them from the market on 20 December 1999.

Roger Cook, director of NOAH said:This report is not just about OPs or sheep dips. It is principally about how Ministersreceive advice, decisions are made and affected parties informed. Thus it applies, potentially, to all medicinesand to all product sectors regulated by MAFF.

The Agriculture Committee hascriticised MAFFs actions and we support that criticism, which reflects many ofour own concerns. What is important nowis to learn and change. Proper procedures must be introduced byMAFF so that if problems emerge in the future Ministers, officials and thoseaffected, whether manufacturers, vets, distributors or farmers, can worktogether, as a team, to agree and act on the most effective, practical solutionto any new problem, he said.

We look forward to working withMAFF and allied organisations to put the lessons of this unhappy episode togood effect, said Mr Cook. In the meantime we also welcome the Committeescall for OP dips to return to the market.Last week manufacturers presented proposals to the Veterinary ProductsCommittee and await their response.

Ends

Notes for Editors

1.     For further informationcontact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon on 020 8367 3131, or e-mail noah@noah.co.uk or visit the NOAHwebsite 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 35 corporate members and 12 associatemembers. In 1999 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the 371 million UKanimal health market, with additional valuable exports.

3. Copiesof the Agriculture Committees full report can be found on the internet atwww.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm/cmagric.htm