Animal medicine guide launched
The publication, compiled by Tony Pettit, national food assurance specialist with the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, gives advice on the steps farmers must follow when using medicines to avoid risks to food safety, human health and animal welfare.
Mr Pettit said with almost 100 million spent by farmers on animal medicines each year, the importance of best practice is paramount.
“Irish farmers have a good food safety record in using animal medicines. Continuous monitoring by the Department of Agriculture and Food shows a very low level of residues in milk and meat. But producers must exert constant vigilance,” he said.
Mr Pettit said food safety as well as animal welfare and farmers’ own health can be compromised if livestock medicines or veterinary equipment are misused.
The Teagasc guide outlines the legal requirements governing the authorisation, distribution and use of animal medicines. Farm and food assurance requirements are also covered.
In a joint foreword, Dr Patrick Wall, former chief executive of the Food Safety Authority and Pat O’Mahony, chief executive, of the Irish Medicines Board, stress the importance to animal and human health of using antibiotics sparingly.
