Ivor Callely
Question:167 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to publish his Department's survey findings on the level of antibiotics in pork products. [20563/96]
Written Answers. - Antibiotics in Pork Products.
My Department carries out a systematic residue surveillance programme for a range of substances in different species, including antibiotics in pigs. These programmes meet the stringent standards of our major trading partners, including EU member states and the United States of America. The random testing programme is supplemented by testing on suspicion.
Up to now, these results have been available, on request, to interested parties. I am now putting in place arrangements to facilitate the publication of results on a quarterly basis.
Results of residue testing for antibiotics in pigs for 1995 and 1996 are:
|
1995 |
1996* |
||
|
Total |
Positive |
Total |
Positive |
|
6,191 |
185 (2.99%) |
4,203 |
468 (11.13%) |
*to end third quarter
Results of testing for the month of October 1996 show that positive results have declined to 3.9 per cent. In the light of the more stringent industry controls now introduced, it is expected that this percentage will continue to decline in future months.