March 14, 2022

EU still sees drop in veterinary drug residues in animal products

Veterinary drug residues in animal products continue to decrease in the European Union, according to an European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report.

Results from the EFSA report centers on the monitoring of residues of veterinary medicinal products and other substances in live animals and animal products in 2020. The monitoring data for that year cover 620,758 samples reported by EU member states, Iceland and Norway. The percentage of samples that exceeded the legally permitted maximum levels was 0.19%. This figure is the lowest seen in the last 11 years (which ranged from 0.25-0.37%). In 2019, the figure was 0.30%.

Overall, compliance rates for antithyroid agents, steroids and resorcylic acid lactones increased in 2020 compared to the 2017 to 2019 period. Increases were also observed in compliance rates for anthelmintics, organochlorine compounds, organophosphates, dyes and 'other substances.

For swine, 115,818 samples were taken in 2020, representing a sampling of 0.05% of the animals slaughtered.

Of the total number of samples taken in swine, only 0.14% of the samples were unsatisfactory.

- EFSA (EU)