The compliance rate for farmers with the National Residue Control Plan (NRCP) in 2018 was 99.76% according to the Department of Agriculture.

The NRCP covers the testing for banned substances, approved medicines, pesticides and environmental contaminants. In total, there were 42 non-compliances detected out of 17,344 samples tested from across eight food-producing species, as well as milk, eggs and honey.

The eight food-producing species are cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, poultry, farmed game, wild game and aquaculture.

Safety

The majority of non-compliances relate to residues of authorised medicines.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) carried out risk evaluations on all non-compliant results and found no unacceptable food safety risk to consumers.

Results from testing and subsequent investigations carried out on farms found no evidence of the illegal use of banned growth-promoting hormones and other banned substances.

Thiouracil was detected in 19 animals across the cattle and pig sectors, which may indicate the use of growth promoters banned in the EU.

Investigations by the Department concluded that no illegal administration had taken place and the low levels found were due to dietary or environmental factors, such as diets rich in kale.

Samples

Residues of authorised medicines which breached acceptable limits were found in 16 samples.

Of these, nine were related to antibiotic medicines split across eight cases in cattle and one in pigs.

The carcase in each case was detained by veterinary inspectors in factories and was stopped from entering the food chain.

Seven samples contained residues of anthelmintics used to control parasites. This was a significant decrease on 2017’s level, where there were 18 positives.

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Tests for residues and illegal medicines shows 99.7% compliance

Farmers 99.8% compliant for residues