Registration of livestock farmers' use of veterinary medicines remains an area of concern. This is evident from inspections carried out by the NVWA in 2022. Of the 287 inspections, 210 were non-compliant. In particular, the inspections showed that livestock farmers did not properly comply with administrative obligations. For example, the logbook was not properly completed, and the data on the VKI form were incorrect and/or incomplete.
One of the violations we regularly see is that veterinary medicines with 0-day withdrawal period are not listed in the logbook and on the VKI form. However, this is mandatory. This means that the administration of, for example, a calcium magnesium infusion, must also be included in the records. We also see that the questions on the VKI form are regularly not filled in truthfully. Our veterinarian's findings at the slaughterhouse then do not match what is stated on the VKI form.
Proper administration is important. When administrative obligations are not properly fulfilled, public health risks can arise. Based on the records at the livestock farmer's premises, it is possible to check which veterinary medicines an animal has been treated with. This prevents the marketing of animals or animal products when it is not allowed. Residues of veterinary medicines may remain in food if the withdrawal period of veterinary medicines is not observed.
It is the responsibility of livestock farmers to ensure that safe food is placed on the market. At the slaughterhouse, random monitoring samples are taken from carcasses, as well as targeted checks in case of suspected use of veterinary medicines. If the legally permitted maximum quantity of a veterinary medicine (MRL) is exceeded, the slaughterhouse is obliged to withdraw from the market any products still in the chain with an MRL exceedance. The slaughterhouse can recover these costs from the livestock farmer.
Are the animals kept for food production, such as meat, milk or eggs? Then it is important that veterinary medicines are administered correctly and that treatments are recorded in the farmer's own administration (logbook) and, if applicable, on the VKI form, which the slaughterhouse must receive prior to the animal's slaughter. In addition, the livestock farmer must take great care not to take animals to the slaughterhouse if there is still a waiting period for meat.
In case of questions about application of veterinary medicines and administration, the holder can contact his practising veterinarian. If necessary, the holder can also contact the veterinary drug information bank of Bureau of Veterinary Medicines consult. Holders will find more information on completing the VKI correctly on the NVWA website.
If an animal is delivered to the slaughterhouse with an incorrect or incomplete VKI form, the animal may be refused for slaughter. In addition, finding a spray spot in the carcass without an explanation of drug use on the VKI may lead to further investigation and possible rejection of the meat. The slaughterhouse may also charge the keeper for these investigation costs.
In addition, the NVWA may carry out an inspection at the livestock farmer's premises. Depending on whether and what violations are found on the livestock farm, fines can be imposed in addition to warnings. Fine amounts quickly run into thousands of euros. A farmer can easily avoid this by properly administering the use of veterinary medicines and correctly reporting it on the VKI form.
In the coming years, NVWA aims to tackle the biggest risks in the chain. These inspection results will help NVWA to do so. Projects are also regularly launched, to further identify risks in the chain, such as the project started in 2022 on medicine residues in meat.
Source: NVWA
