Sir, - I fear that Dr Dermot Rafter (September 26th) may cause unnecessary concern on the subject of bacteria and antibiotics. He states that many antibiotics commonly prescribed by general practitioners can be found in animal products.
While it is true to say that sick animals may need antibiotic therapy, a number of factors serve to protect the public from residues in animal products including the following:
All animal medicines must meet defined standards of quality, safety and efficacy and be subject to independent regulatory approval.
In the case of medicines intended for use in food-producing animals, a withdrawal period is established based on an assessment of the toxicity of the drug and the time taken by the animal to excrete the drug to below established maximum safety limits.
Government and private laboratories routinely monitor animal tissues and produce for residues of antibiotics and other substances. Tissues and produce which have a residue concentration above the permitted level are subject to condemnation.
The most pressing need for antibiotic usage is in young animals which may not have immunity to disease. Scientific studies conducted in Ireland and elsewhere have demonstrated that bacterial resistance in animals treated early in life is not present at slaughter in later life.
While few would disagree that antibiotics for human and veterinary purposes should be used only where necessary and appropriate, the current authorisations for animal medicines and the monitoring systems for animal produce serve to prevent harmful residues from entering the food chain. - Yours, etc.,
Veterinary Surgeon, Bodenstown, Co Kildare.