Feed and Animal Medicines

Feed monitoring at the district level controls operations in primary production based on risk and takes official samples for analysis.

The goal of feed monitoring is to prevent feed from being produced or used in ways that harm the health of animals or indirectly that of humans through food of animal origin.

The Oberberg District is responsible for feed monitoring if

• agricultural operations or animal owners produce, process, or market individual feed,

• agricultural operations or animal owners produce mixed feed for their own livestock, or

• animal owners feed animals.

Other monitoring is conducted by the responsible higher state authority, the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVE NRW).

Monitoring of Animal Medicines

Hormone scandals, medicine residues in food, or the misuse of narcotics are headlines that frequently appear in the media. To prevent the misuse of medications, the use of medicines in animals is subject to constant monitoring.

The monitoring of animal medicines is thus an essential part of health consumer protection. It covers the production, trade, distribution, and application of animal medicines as well as the handling of narcotics. Pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers, veterinary home pharmacies, animal healing practices, and animal holdings are subject to this monitoring. Additionally, the retail of over-the-counter animal medicines in pet stores and agricultural trade is monitored.

Owners of livestock are subject to extensive documentation requirements regarding the origin, usage, and application of medicines for their animals. Special rules apply to the use of antibiotics. Prescribed waiting times between application and food production and established maximum residue limits are aimed at preventing unwanted residues.