The US system for monitoring residues and contaminants in live animals and animal products is flawed, according to a report by the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) published on Thursday 24 October.
Conducted in the United States from 15 to 26 October 2018, the audit assessed the compliance with the guarantees provided by the residue monitoring plans already approved by the European Union and the effectiveness of the US measures to ensure that products exported to the EU comply with the residue limits specified in European legislation on veterinary medicines, pesticides and contaminants.
Since the last audit in 2010, “significant improvements” have been made and the competent authorities have acted on the recommendations made in this report, according to FVO experts. The system in place generally provides assurance that products of animal origin that can be exported from the United States to the EU meet EU requirements, the report states.
In particular, the experts welcome the additional screening programmes for cattle and pigs. But for some products, such as milk, the US plans do not ensure an effect equivalent to those provided for in EU legislation.
The authorised use of growth promotants in sheep and turkeys means that the certification requirements for exports to the EU of products from these two species “are not met”, experts note.
Finally, the EU is concerned about residues of antimicrobial drugs found in honey. To read the FVO report: http://bit.ly/3413rMf (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)