The level of drug residues found in Irish food continues to fall according to the latest figures from the Department of Agriculture.
The results of the 2003 National Residue Monitoring Plan show that only 238 samples out of 65,320 proved positive for the use banned substances.
This represents a rate of 0.36 per cent compared with 0.53 per cent in 2002 and 0.58 per cent in 2001.
While the figures show that no residues of illegal growth promoters were found in tests on Irish livestock, the levels of anti-bacterial residues remain above those required under EU obligations.
Of 55,359 tests for antibiotic medicines 217 samples proved positive, representing a level of 0.4 per cent compared with a level of 0.5 per cent in 2002.
The pork industry remains the most problematic with 0.4 per cent of 48,200 tests proving positive.
In the beef sector, more than half or 14 out of a total of 26 antibiotic positives were found in the case of animals detained on suspicion by the Department's veterinary inspectors in slaughter plants.
The Department said such residue-positive animals are excluded from the human food chain.
Of the 1,830 bovines tested using standard selection criteria, 0.6 per cent proved positive for antibiotic residues.
Under current EU law each member state is required to implement residue surveillance plans and to submit their programmes to the Commission for approval.
The Department said Ireland's Residue Monitoring Programme for 2003 was fully approved by the European Commission.