Farmers fined for medicine misuse

The successful prosecution of two farmers who sent bobby calves for slaughter that tested positive for veterinary medicine residues is a reminder that farmers must follow instructions for dosage rates and withholding times on product labels.

The residue levels did not pose a risk to human health.

Dairy farmers Stephen Begbie and his company Begbie Farms Ltd, of Paeroa, and Andrew James, of Palmerston North, pleaded guilty and were fined for failing to comply with a notice made under the Animal Products Act.

The notice prohibits suppliers of farmed mammals from sending animal material for primary processing if it has been treated with or exposed to a registered agricultural compound and is within the withholding period.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s assistant director of operational response Justin Rowlands says he is pleased with the outcome of the cases.

“It shows farmers who jeopardise our animal product markets by misusing vet medicines are very likely to be caught and punished.”

On May 10 2008 Begbie sent 10 bobby calves to AFFCO Horotiu. The next day one of the calves tested positive for sulphonamide.

Sulphonamides are commonly present in drugs used to treat bacterial intestinal infections in calves, and have a required holding period of 14 days.

Begbie was fined $500 and his company $1000 plus court costs when he appeared in Waihi District Court on May 28.

In the second case, James sent a bobby calf to AFFCO Imlay (Wanganui) on September 8 2008. A test returned a sulphadiazine reading of 9.3mg/ kg. The limit is 0.01mg/ kg. James appeared in Wanganui District Court on June 3 and was fined $1000 plus court costs.

Justin said although the residue levels did not pose a risk to human health in these cases, it showed that good agricultural practice had not been followed, and could have endangered the access of New Zealand’s products to our best markets.

“I urge all farmers to follow the dosage rates and withholding time instructions provided on product labels and by their veterinarian to prevent this type of contamination.”

Ends

For comment: Justin Rowlands, Assistant Director (Operational Response), 029-894 2506

For information: Mandy Smith, Advisor (Media Communications), 029 894 2528