24 May 2001

NOAHS Message to Election Candidates

British livestockfarming is battered and bruised, yet authorised animal medicines are stillvital to protect the health of the nation's farm animals. Equally important,over half of all UK animal medicine sales now serve the health and welfare ofcompanion animals. That is why the National Office of Animal Health is sendinga message to all prospective parliamentary candidates before the GeneralElection on 7 June.

Launched at theassociation's AGM on 24 May, NOAH's manifesto asks candidates to recognise theessential role of authorised animal medicines in providing the best possiblecare for pets, sporting and food animals.

The stringent procedures involved ingetting a marketing authorisation give assurances on a medicines quality,efficacy and safety - yet regulations should not be so unnecessarily demandingas to prevent safe animal medicines from being on the market. NOAH askscandidates to reduce unnecessary red tape so authorised medicines can remainavailable, and to encourage fair and practical requirements in relation to theresearch and development of animal medicines. Requirements need to be set sothat it is realistic for companies to look for the medicines of the future, andso that veterinary surgeons, farmers and pet owners continue to have access toproducts specially approved for animals rather than leaving them to take achance on products not specifically developed for animal use.

Animal medicineauthorisation is based on science - NOAH urges candidates to encourage progressin animal medicine research and development in the UK and to work to counteractattempts to prevent and hinder the research necessary to produce new medicinesin animals.

Controls arethere - yet people may not be aware of them. Good efforts have been made. But there is still much to do to increasepublic awareness of the stringent actions taken by officials and the animalmedicine industry to ensure the safety of British food.

NOAH's finalmessage is a plea to those that will soon be in power: help ensure thatBritains farm and pet animals receive the level of care and treatment thatthey deserve.

...Ends...

Notes for Editors

1.     For furtherinformation contact 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. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 torepresent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and marketlicensed animal health products. The association has 38 corporate members and10 associate members. In 2000 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the357 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.

3. A copy of NOAH's message to candidates is attached.