Drug Residue Prosecution Successful
NEW ZEALAND - The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has brought a successful prosecution against a Te Kawata farmer. Because of mistakes made by his farm workers the man had failed to comply with a notice made under the Animal Products Act 1999 when he sent for slaughter bobby calves that tested positive for residues of the drug sulphonamide.
12 September 2007
2 minute read
”As employers, they may also be responsible for the actions of their employees, so everyone handling agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines must have any required training.”
Geoff Allen, NZFSA’s Director
Douglas Brown pleaded guilty at Huntly District Court to presenting an animal that failed to comply with the requirements of the Act. He was fined $1000 plus court costs.
Her Honour Judge Clarkson noted Mr Brown’s willingness to plead guilty and take corrective action, together with his flawless criminal record. However, the Judge said she felt obliged to send a serious message to the farming community about the importance of safe farming to the economy and trade.
The court heard how workers at Mr Brown’s farm had mistakenly fed the calves destined for slaughter from a pail of feed containing sulphonamide intended for calves that were being kept. Three calves were subsequently sent to Richmond’s Paeroa processing plant, where tests detected the drug.
Suppliers of farmed animals are prohibited from presenting them for primary processing if they have been treated with or exposed to a registered veterinary medicine within the drug’s specified withholding period. As bobby calves are less than two weeks old at the time of slaughter, they cannot be compliant with the requirements of the Animal Products Act since sulphonamide drugs have a four week withholding period for cattle for slaughter.
Geoff Allen, NZFSA’s Director (Compliance & Investigation) says: “We see several cases like this a year. I urge all farmers to scrupulously observe the dosage rates and withholding times provided on the labels and by prescribing veterinarians, and ensure that their farming practices protect against inadvertent contaminations.
”As employers, they may also be responsible for the actions of their employees, so everyone handling agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines must have any required training.”
Breaches of the notice can carry a maximum fine of up to $20,000.
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