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Codex Alimentarius Breaks Deadlock on Veterinary Medicines

IFAH pleased to see Codex Alimentarius Commission move forward in adopting standard on veterinary medicines

Rome, 7 July 2012 – At its 35th session, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) made significant progress regarding standards for residues of veterinary medicines.

In a landmark decision, the CAC acknowledged that it could not reach consensus on maximum residue limits for ractopamine, and that – in accordance with its rules of procedure – a decision should be taken by voting. As a result, it adopted the global food safety standard for ractopamine.

Barbara Freischem, Executive Director of the International Federation for Animal Health said, “The CAC has provided much needed assurance to our industry that it will follow its rules of procedure in the setting of global food safety standards for the benefit of consumers around the world. It was a significant step for the CAC to take, after years of trying to reach a consensus, which would have been everyone’s preference.

Another substance for which the proposed standards have been held at step 8 for years is rBST (recombinant bovine somatotropin). The CAC has agreed to continue to hold the draft standards, while inviting the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) to assess new data that might have become available on rBST since the CAC last looked at the standards.

Among many other decisions taken at this meeting, the CAC adopted the revision of the Risk Analysis Principles Applied by the Committee of Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) and of the Risk Assessment Policy for Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods. In addition, it also adopted the standards for narasin, amoxicillin and monensin, and moved forward draft standards for monepantel. It also agreed to new work for the CCRVDF which includes gentian violet, lasalocid, phenylpyrazole and zilpaterol, a compound with similar indications as ractopamine. This last decision confirms the message that Codex will respect its rules of procedure when elaborating global food safety standards.”

Notes for editors

More information on Codex Alimentarius Commission – http://www.codexalimentarius.org

More information on JECFA – http://www.fao.org/food/food-safety-quality/scientific-advice/jecfa/en/

IFAH
The International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) is an organisation representing manufacturers of veterinary medicines, vaccines and other animal health products in both developed and developing countries across five continents. The mission of IFAH is to foster a greater understanding of animal health matters and promote a predictable, science-based regulatory environment that facilitates the supply of innovative and quality animal medicines, vaccines and other animal health products into a competitive market place. These products contribute to a healthy and safe food supply as well as a high standard of health and welfare for animals and people.

For further information on IFAH, please visit www.ifahsec.org

For further press information please contact
Kim Hardie, Communications Director
Tel.: +32 2 543 75 75
E-mail: k.hardie@ifahsec.org