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
23 May 2003
British milkin top league of safe foods
Britains dairy farmers are usinganimal medicines safely and responsibly and making certain that the milk theyproduce is in the top league of safe foods for consumers.
The modern dairy cow is carefullytended and every effort is taken to ensure that she does not fall prey todisease. Just as with humans, they are vaccinated against a number of diseases,and great measures are taken to ensure that mastitis, a painful udderinfection, does not take hold.
The responsible use of animalmedicines is crucial to maintain herd health status and to ensure that nomedicine produces a residue in the milk which could give cause for concern forhuman health.
Latestfigures from the Veterinary Residues Committee, an independent committee set upto advise the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Food Standards Agency,confirmed that no UK authorised use of a veterinary medicine resulted in anyresidues in milk.
Tim Brigstocke, chairman of theRoyal Association of British Dairy Farmers, said: This is a firm confirmationthat dairy farmers are technically efficient and are doing what it says on thebottle. We encourage the responsible use of medicines in agriculture and it isvery important that medicines are used properly and to optimum effect.
As far as dairy farming isconcerned, the use of medicines such as those for mastitis control make surethat milk is fit for the purpose intended consumption by humans, he added.What we are talking about here is good agricultural practice and good animalwelfare and it is to be commended.
Forthe National Office of Animal Health, the trade association for themanufacturers of animal medicines, chief executive Philip Sketchley added: We have been delighted by the latest figures which show thatwithdrawal periods do work and successfully protect the consumer. Farmersshould be congratulated on these results as they illustrate the goldstandards that UK farming can achieve in food production.
"However, it is important that those who draft futureregulations understand that responsible use does not always mean less use. Itis as responsible to use a medicine to stop an animal getting sick vaccinesfor example as it is to cure a sick animal. Preventive medicine for both farmand companion animals should be the way forward in responsible medicine use toprotect animal health and welfare."
ends
Notes for editors
1. For further informationcontact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH on 020 8367 3131, or by email noah@noah.co.uk or look at the NOAH website www.noah.co.uk.
2. The RABDF (RoyalAssociation of British Dairy Farmers) is the only independent organisationaddressing the many issues facing the UK dairy industry. See www.rabdf.co.uk for more information
3. 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 13 associate members. In 2002 NOAH'smembers accounted for well over 90% of the 389 million UK animal health market