Question
(2) what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the European Commission's implementing regulations allowing for the establishment of maximum residue levels for milk in respect of the majority of flukicides.
[143009]
Cathy Jamieson:
Answer
[holding answer 12 February 2013]: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate regularly engages with the Scottish Government on Veterinary Medicines issues.
The decision to change the labelling on veterinary medicines containing certain flukicides to contra-indicate their use in lactating cows was made at the European level. The European Commission's series of implementing regulations permit the establishment of maximum residue limits (MRLs) in milk and will ensure the safety of milk and milk products from treated dairy cattle for consumers. As a result of the recently established MRLs for some flukicides, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate is encouraging manufacturers of these veterinary medicinal products authorised for use in the UK to apply for milk withdrawal periods by submitting residue depletion studies.
The availability of veterinary medicines is controlled by European law, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, as the Competent Authority for the United Kingdom, has contributed to the discussions held by European
Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use. This issue affects dairy producers in all member states including the whole of the United Kingdom.
Advice on alternative veterinary medicinal products is available on request from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.