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Ionophore product warning statements

The toxicity of the ionophore group is well recognised. However, it has not been dealt with well in the past with respect to the consistent application of appropriate warning statements on product labels.

In recognition of this and in the interests of ensuring consumers have the maximal amount of information to ensure the safe and efficacious use of these products, the ACVM Group has recently adopted the following rule:

All ionophore product labels must bear the following label statement (or similar):

'Do not use in horses or dogs as fatal toxicosis may result. Ensure recommended doses are not exceeded. Care must be exercised when feeding concurrently with other antimicrobials'.

For individual ionophore types (e.g. monensin, lasolacid) the following applies:

Where the concurrent use of specific antimicrobials (e.g. tiamulin, erythromycin) or use in certain animal species (e.g. adult turkeys) are a known contra-indication for a particular ionophore type (e.g. monensin, lasolacid), it must be stated on the label of any product containing that type of ionophore.

This rule will be enforced on all ionophore products at update or initial registration from 28 August 2002, and all such products are expected to be compliant by 1 July 2004. Registrants are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that the correct statements are included on the product labels.

Maximum residue limits

As we advised some time ago, with the introduction of the NZFSA the ACVM Group has taken over responsibility for setting MRLs under the Food Act 1981. To date we have made a number of changes in response to comments received in the past.

There is access to the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Mandatory Food Standard 1999 and all of the subsequent amendments at the following address: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/food-standards/regulation-of-food-in-nz/index.htm. We plan to prepare a regulation consolidating all of the amendments into a single list before the end of this year.

We have also added a section to the ACVM part of the website (at http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/acvm/registers-lists/index.htm) under 'Registers and Lists', which has a searchable list of current New Zealand MRLs. Please note that this should not be used as a definitive list; refer to the Regulation itself.

The latest amendment (number 7), which covers new MRLs for cefquinome, diphenylamine, marbo-floxacin and spinosad, and updates the MRLs for maleic hydrazide and phosphorous acid, has been signed by the Minister and gazetted. It will come into effect on 17 October 2002.

The ACVM Group is working with the NZFSA Policy team to get the next discussion document out in the first week of October 2002; it will cover any chemicals received to that date and consolidate these into a single list. Following that we will be looking at further discussion papers in mid December, March and June. Check the NZFSA website under 'Policy & Law/Consultation' for details of the discussion documents as they are released.

Over the next 12 months or so, the ACVM Group will review the current MRL standard to make sure that the terminology used is consistent with Codex wherever possible, and we will be working with the Policy team on further streamlining the MRL setting process. The first batch of 'updates' (likely to be in December 2002) will cover veterinary medicine products in meat and milk.

Veterinary medicines residues issues

The ACVM Group Programme Manager for Veterinary Medicine Residues, Mike Clear, has recently taken up a position with the Animal Products Group of the NZFSA. He will still be working with the ACVM Group on a part-time basis to provide continuity but will no longer be directly answering questions from industry regarding ACVM residue issues.

In future all residue queries should be directed in the first instance by e-mail to your key account Advisor or to Maree Zinzley, Programme Manager (Operations). All other queries relating to ACVM and registration issues should also be directed in this manner.