asked the Minister for Agriculture the safeguards that exist at present in regard to the apparently uncontrolled injection of chemical substances into livestock destined for human consumption; the quantities of such chemicals utilised in this manner in each of the last five years; if his Department have sought or received medical opinion or advice in this general respect; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter with reference to the controls which exist in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Livestock Injections.
16.
Regulations made under the Animal Remedies Act, 1956 prohibit the sale of chloramphenicol and oestrogenic hormones, save under licence or on veterinary prescription. The European Communities (Control of Stilbene and Thyrostatic Substances) Regulations, 1981 prohibit the sale or distribution of these particular substances. Further regulations, which will make it an offence to offer for sale animals or meat containing residues of stilbenes and thyrostatics, are in course of preparation.
Details of the quantities of injectible chemicals actually used in animal husbandry in each of the past five years are not available.
The use of chemicals in animal husbandry has been a matter of concern in my Department and in the Department of Health and consultations have taken place in this matter between both Departments and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and the veterinary and farming organisations. This liaison is on a continuing basis. The question of human health protection is primarily a matter for the Minister for Health who I understand is currently considering legislation to tighten existing controls on the retail sale and distribution of chemical substances including those used in animals.
Certain EEC directives dealing with the licensing and use of veterinary medicinal products will have to be implemented by each member state by 1983 and consultations have been initiated with the Department of Health on the most effective means of implementation here.
Is it a new departure that the Minister for Health rather than the Minister for Agriculture is preparing regulations governing the sale of veterinary medicine and what input, if any, will the Department of Agriculture have into the terms of whatever regulations are made in this matter by the Minister for Health? Is the Minister satisfied that the Minister for Health will take into account the needs of Irish agriculture, as well as the clear needs of public health?
Two EEC directives on veterinary medicinal products were adopted last September and must be implemented in national law from next year. They require that the safety, effiency and quality and the conditions of manufacture of proprietary veterinary medicinal products are satisfactory and lay down standards to which products must conform. They also prohibit the marketing of a product unless it has been licensed by the competent national authority. Negotiations with the Department of Health are in progress to empower the National Drugs Advisory Board to undertake this work. Discussions with the Department of Health, the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism and veterinary representative bodies are going on with a view to introducing stricter control on antibiotics and other substances used in livestock production. The Department of Health hope to introduce next year regulations under the Poisons Act, 1961. These regulations would restrict the retail sale of almost all chemicals to licensed outlets.
Will the proposed regulatons be published in draft form in such a manner as to allow all interested parties to make their views known both to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Agriculture before they take effect? This is an issue upon which there are deeply divided views and it is desirable that there should be fairly wide public discussion so that these views could, as far as possible, be reconciled.
I imagine that the Deputy's proposals could be implemented.
Has the Minister any figures relating to the level of chemical or antibiotic residues in pasteurised milk, since it is the only diet of infants? If not, have the Department any plans to monitor the level of these substances in milk for human consumption?
I have not the information requested.
Question No. 17 is for written reply.