‘Opportunities for beef producers’

The low-residue levels found in Irish meat products presents opportunities for beef producers here, according to the Animal and Plant Health Association.

APHA, the representative body for manufacturers and sole distributors of animal health and plant health products in Ireland, said residue levels have remained consistently low due to improved monitoring procedures and the effective use of appropriate withdrawal periods.

The €92 million turnover animal health industry committed itself at the launch of APHA’s 2004 Veterinary Data Sheet Compendium to continue taking positive initiatives to ensure the safe use of its products.

It said the high level of regulation and the transparent reporting mechanisms within the Irish veterinary medicines market present a strong opportunity for Irish producers to win new customers in European markets, now facing a beef deficit for the first time in decades.

Animal Health Division of APHA chairman Seamus Maguire said the industry supports congresses and technical meetings and also provides training to retailers via Teagasc.

Department of Agriculture and Food chief veterinary officer Patrick Rogan welcomed the publication and the ongoing contribution of the industry to the development of legislation surrounding its products.

Irish Medicines Board (IMB) veterinary director Dr Gabriel Beechinor said that a veterinary medicine cannot be placed on the market in advance of examination by experts in the IMB to ensure the safety of the product.