CS - meat residues Flashcards
Why are residues important?
Problematic to human health
Potential cancer agents
Resistance
Carcasses can be detained, destroyed with immediate economic consequences
Milk penalties - especially important with AB residues and cheese manufacture.
Losing market confidence
Define VMP
Veterinary Medicinal Product
How do we safeguard against residues?
Approval process of medicines Cascade of medicine use in food animals Prescription of medicines Clear responsibilities (food business operators and vets) Surveillance in food system
How good are these residue mechanisms? How often are residues found?
35,000 samples/year (Risk-based targetting)
0.1-0.3% have been detected for residues
Poultry make up high proportion of cases. Cattle ABs (mostly calves). Overall the UK system is working
What is the Rural Payments Agency?
The agency that is responsible for subsidies payments to farmers.
What are the key organisations for preventing residues in meat? 3
MEDICINES (VMD, NOAH) FOOD SYSTEM (DEFRA, FSA) PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (RCVS, BVA)
What is an MRL?
Maximum Residue Limit. It is the maximum concentration of residue following administration of a veterinary medicine which is legally permitted or acceptable in food under the laws of the EU. Set by the European Commission. Very large safety margins
Define CVMP
Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products
What is the Safety Dossier?
contains all the pharmacology and toxicology studies carried out with the medicine in laboratory animals. These studies examine what happens to the substance in the body and assess how much can be given safely, without inducing any unwanted adverse effects.
What are withdrawal times?
= this is the time which passes between the last dose given to the animal and the time when the level of residues in the tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, skin/fat) or products (milk, eggs, honey) is lower than or equal to the MRL.
Until the withdrawal period has elapsed, the animal or its products must not be used for human consumption.
Set out in the datasheet
Strictly set by European law
What are the 2 VMD surveillance schemes that the VRC oversees?
National Surveillance Scheme (NSS) - this is statutory. Each year samples are taken by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) and Meat Hygiene Service (MHS). The number of samples to be taken is outlined based on forecast production. Parameters for certain substances are also laid down. Substances detected are divided into Group A (Substances having anabolic effects and unauthorised substances - e.g. steroids) and Group B (Veterinary Drugs and Contaminants)
Non-statutory Surveillance Scheme - concentrates on imported and processed foods. These represent a mjor food product in the UK and it is important to know if any residues are present. As it doesn’t have a legal base, the VRC can make more recommendations on what food is to be tested and for what substances. Scheme is funded by DEFRA with no contribution from the food industry - funding is therefore limited.
Give 5 examples of residue causing agents
antimicrobials, parasiticides, anti-inflammatories, growth promoters and insecticides
What are public health concerns of residues?
toxic and anaphylactic reactions, development of drug resistant strains of bacteria
What is RUMA?
Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance. It is a coalition of veterinary, pharmaceutical, farmer and retail interests. It has published a summary a detailed guidance for each of the main food producing species for AMs. Repeatedly argues that AMs are a complementary therapy to good farming practice and that vaccination is very important in reducing the need for antimicrobials.
Who collects samples?
The VMD, in conjunction with the FSA and the AHA, randomly collect samples from farm animals and from food of animal origin to ensure that it is safe to eat and that authorised medicines are being used both correctly and safely.
