In addition to the regular National Residues Programme (NPR), the NVWA took additional samples at slaughterhouses of cattle, pigs, horses, goats and sheep this year.
Initial results indicate that in 2% of the pigs, the antibiotics administered were present above the legal limit (Maximum Residue Limit) (4 out of 170 samples). The pigs involved were a sow, a weanling pig and two half-grown fattening pigs, known as cull animals. These are "end-of-career animals or animals slaughtered early". The NVWA calls this the 'cull animals' category. Of these, 54 were tested and, with four deviations, they come to over 7% that do not meet the standard. And the NVWA considers that too high.
The NVWA issued written warnings and administrative fines to the livestock farmers. The carcasses and by-products of these animals have been destroyed. Any medication administered to an animal must be reported on a VKI form. A waiting period must be observed before slaughter. This form was not in order for all cull animals. Written warnings have been issued for this.
The slaughterhouses cooperated well with the pilot and kept the sampled carcasses separate. Several slaughterhouses have written to their suppliers because of the pilot that they only want to receive animals where there is no unauthorised use of substances.
Next year, the NVWA will ensure that parties make their own agreements on proper compliance within the meat chain. Such as correctly completing VKI forms and respecting the required waiting time after administering veterinary medicines.
