The very stringent approval process for veterinary medicines in the UK,coupled with regulations controlling distribution of medicines and the use iofanimal medicines on farms leads to healthy British food being produced fromhealthy British livestock

Representingthe Manufacturers of 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

Press Release

23 October 2002

Newreport shows animal medicines are being used responsibly and new NOAH DataSheet Compendium will help this continue

The National Office of Animal Health has welcomed the publication ofthe independent Veterinary Residues Committee report giving residuessurveillance figures for 2001. The Committee concluded that no UK authoriseduse of a veterinary medicinal product resulted in a residue which would givecause for concern for human health: a high level of compliance with safe use ofanimal medicines is being achieved.

"These figures show animal medicines are being usedresponsibly," said Phil Sketchley, NOAH chief executive. "Only 75 of44,000 samples (0.17%) had residues of animal medicines above the MaximumResidue Limit (MRL), and the Food Standards Agency's toxicologists advised thatnone of these were of concern for human health. However, veterinary surgeons,animal health merchants and farmers need to keep up-to-date with the latestinformation on animal medicines. Instructions for use can change, newindications can be added and particularly important, withdrawal periods canchange.

The 2002/03 edition of the NOAH Compendium of Data Sheets forVeterinary Products has just been launched. With over 1000 data sheets, including70 new products and over 100 products with significant changes, the new editionof this book is a vital resource to ensure users of animal medicines have accurateaccess to the latest information. The inclusion of the withdrawal period tablein the new publication makes the checking of withdrawal period information mucheasier, he said.

Mr Sketchley added: The huge amount of work put in by medicinemanufacturers to meet the very stringent approval process for animal medicinesin the UK, coupled with regulations controlling distribution of medicines andthe use of animal medicines on farms leads to healthy British food beingproduced from healthy British livestock.

Over 50% of the UK animal medicines market is for companion animals andit is equally important that veterinary surgeons have access to the fullmanufacturer's information on the state of the art medicines being developedfor the nation's pets.

A free copy will be delivered to every UK veterinary practice andbranch practice once they have nominated a veterinary wholesaler who will thenin turn deliver their copy, and vets can make extra purchases via this source.Copies are available for purchase by other users of animal medicines; price26.00, from the NOAH office.

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Philip Sketchley or Alison Glennon on020 8367 3131, e-mail noah@noah.co.ukor visit the NOAH website www.noah.co.uk.

2. The National Office of AnimalHealth 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 report of theVeterinary Residues Committee was published on 17 October. It is also availableon the following website: http://www.vet-residues-committee.gov.uk.