Representing the Manufacturersof Animal Medicines
National Office of AnimalHealth Ltd
3 Crossfield Chambers,Gladbeck Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7HF
Tel: (+44) 020 8367 3131Facsimile: (+44) 020 8363 1155
e-mail:a.glennon@noah.co.uk
PressRelease
1November 2002
Withdrawal period tables now available onNOAH website
NOAH has published tables showingwithdrawal periods for animal medicines on its website www.noah.co.uk. For the first time there isfree on-line access to these easy-to-use tables.
The tables have also been includedin the just-published NOAH Compendium of Data Sheets for Veterinary Products2002-2003, (price 26, contact NOAH for more details) but the electronicversion can be kept up-to-date as NOAH is advised of changes. NOAHs siteincludes a facility for users to register to be updated when changes to thetables occur.
Use of animal medicines in farm animals isstrictly controlled by European law. The withdrawal period is the time which passesbetween the last dose of a medicine given to the animal and the time when thelevel of residues in the tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, skin/fat) or products(milk, eggs, honey) falls below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). Until thistime has elapsed, the animal or its products must not, by law, be used forhuman consumption.
Statistics back up the excellent trackrecord of UK farmers and vets in observing the regulations - and measures arein place to ensure things to stay that way. As part of that effort, the VMDoperates two complementary surveillance programmes for animal medicine residuesto ensure that residues above the MRL do not occur and that prohibited orillegal drugs are not used. In the few cases where confirmatory analysis showspresence of unauthorised medicines or concentrations above the MRL, these arefollowed up. The State Veterinary Service investigates the farm, advises,inspects and if appropriate, prosecutes. The figures are published regularly andresults are reassuring figures just published by the independent VeterinaryResidues Committee show that in 2001, only 75 of 44,000 samples (0.17%) hadresidues of animal medicines above the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), and theFood Standards Agency's toxicologists have advised that none of these were ofconcern for human health.
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. For furtherinformation contact Philip Sketchley or Alison Glennon on 020 8367 3131, e-mailnoah@noah.co.uk or visit the NOAHwebsite 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 12 associate members. In 2001 NOAH'smembers accounted for around 95% of the 359 million UK animal health market,with additional valuable exports.
3. The first annual reportof the Veterinary Residues Committee was published on 17 October. It is alsoavailable on the following website: http://www.vet-residues-committee.gov.uk.
4. An MRL is themaximum concentration of residue following administration of a veterinarymedicine which is legally permitted or acceptable in food under the laws of theEU. The responsibility for keeping residues under the MRL lies with veterinarysurgeons and farmers, using licensed animal medicines. Withdrawal periods existso that MRLs are not exceeded and to ensure consumer safety. Accordingly,safety is of paramount importance when both MRLs and withdrawal periods areestablished and the legislators always err on the side of caution. For example,the calculation of the MRL value is based on the acceptable daily intake (ADI;see below) for the drug in question. The calculation of the ADI includes anextremely large safety factor. In addition, the MRL calculation assumes anintake per person every single day of 500g of meat, 1.5 litres of milk, 2 eggsand 20 g of honey. Legislators might be well advised to consider the healthimplications for obesity and cholesterol levels!