Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 March 2005. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact on health of the use of antibiotics on farms; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on health of the use of antibiotics on farms; and if he will make a statement. [221687] Miss Melanie Johnson: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the use of antibiotics in human rather than veterinary medicines is thought to be the main source of resistant micro-organisms in the human population, but we recognise that transfer of resistant bacteria can also occur through the food chain. Action has been taken to phase out the use of antibiotic growth promoters in animals and to make sure that antibiotics are used responsibly in the treatment of sick animals. Measures to prevent food-borne disease, such as cooking, will also prevent the transmission of resistant bacteria. Antibiotic residues in food, resulting from on-farm use and their implications for consumer health, are monitored by the veterinary residues committee and the FSA. The residue levels currently reported do not raise any concerns about risks to consumer health.

Secondary information