The Agency is closely involved with the work of the Veterinary Residues Committee (VRC), an independent advisory committee that oversees the UK's surveillance of residues of veterinary medicines in both domestic and imported foods. The Agency's interest arises from the food safety implications that potentially arise from the presence of residues of certain veterinary medicines, including antibiotics and we know that this is an issue that is of concern to some consumers. More information on the VRC and the Agency's role is on our website.
The Committee's programme includes checking for the presence of antibiotics that have been banned in food in the EU, such as chloramphenicol and most nitrofurans in imported produce. In particular, the Agency supports the VRC's annual brand-naming survey as it reflects the Agency's commitment to openness and transparency for consumers. The Agency fully supported the 2007 brand-name survey on chloramphenicol in high concentration royal jelly nutritional supplements and issued a webstory explaining the Agency's work in withdrawing affected products from the market in association with local authorities.
The VRC is publishing its report for 2007 today, which provides information on the full remit of the VRC's work. The good news is that the levels of residues reported would not represent a major food safety risk for consumers. The report does give examples of the Agency working with the VRC to keep residues of veterinary medicines in food to a minimum in response to consumer concerns.>
And, of course, veterinary residues may well turn up as an issue at the BA Festival of Science, which the Agency is taking part in for the first time this week. By way of a plug, yours truly will be launching my annual report on science in the Agency, when I, with colleagues, will lead an interactive session on science and food. Do come along if you're down Liverpool way, or take part via the live webcast.