19.04.2010

EFSA

Following a request for assistance from the European Commission, EFSA has published a technical report on the occurrence of residues of veterinary drugs in live animals and animal products.
Findings include anti-bacterials accounted for the highest proportion of the non-compliant results (46%), followed by hormones (19%) and substances categorized as “other veterinary medicinal products” (18%). The highest proportion of the non-compliant results were found in pigs (39%), followed by cows (31%) and poultry (17%). However, these animal groups also accounted for the highest number of samples taken.
This technical study is based on data provided by the 27 E.U. member states for 2008. Although a total of more than 750,000 targeted samples were reported, less than 2,000 (0.27%) results were found to be over the legal limits. The frequency of non-compliant results (i.e. those which exceeded maximum limits) was similar to that found in previous years for most regulated veterinary medicines.