Assessment of the results of the Austrian residue control plan 2010

Monitoring of meat, milk, eggs and honey for residues of veterinary drugs and hormones is performed in Austria on the basis of a National Residue Control Plan (NRKP). The principal aims of the NRKP are to detect illegal use of prohibited or non-approved substances and to check that approved drugs are used lawfully. Furthermore, levels of various environmental contaminants are recorded (pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins etc.). In this report, results of the National Residue Control Plan for the year 2010 were evaluated. In 2010, residues of veterinary drugs and contaminants were found in 21 out of 9.408 analysed targeted samples (0.2%; 95% CI: 0.1 – 0.4%). Residues exceeded either the maximum residue limits or unauthorised or prohibited substances were detected. No positive results were found for the following substances belonging to Group A: stilbenes and stilbene derivatives (A1), antithyroid agents (A2), resorcylic acid lactones including zeranol (A4), beta-agonists (A5). Moreover, no positive findings were observed for Group B substances, e.g. anthelmintics (B2a), anticoccidials (B2b), carbamates and pyrethroids (B2c), sedatives (B2d), other pharmacologically active substances (B2f), organochlorine compounds including PCBs (B3a), organophosphorus compounds (B3b), mycotoxins (B3d) and others (B3f). Due to the fact that residues of veterinary drugs were detected only in a low number of samples, it was assumed that the residues found in live animals and animal products normally do not pose a health risk to consumers. Nevertheless, the ban on placing on the market of meat and products of animal origin in case of prohibited residues remains unaffected. An acute or chronic risk to consumers cannot be excluded for prohibited and unauthorised substances, e.g. malachite green.AT;de;pdf;efsafocalpoint@ages.a