Everyone involved in the agri-food system works hard to produce an exceptionally safe and wholesome supply of food. Producers, veterinarians, feed manufacturers, animal health companies, government and consumers all have a role to play. In the animal health industry, our goal is to ensure that animal-sourced foods are safe by prudently using pharmaceuticals and ensuring food will be free from harmful residues. Producers Farmers that produce meat, milk, eggs, honey or fish take their responsibility to produce safe food very seriously. Today s livestock producers are highly educated and use the latest technology products and equipment to feed, care for, monitor and keep records on the animals under their stewardship.
Farmers use medications to help keep their animals healthy.
When an animal is ill, it may be necessary to give antibiotics or other animal health products to help the animal recover, in the same way that humans take antibiotics when they have a bacterial infection. Disease prevention is also an important facet of animal health care programs. Medications have proven to be effective in preventing harmful diseases which, in turn, help to improve the animal s productivity. Producers are aware that they have a major responsibility to ensure that animal health products must be out of an animal s system, according to the product s label instructions, before the animal or products from the animal are sent to market. Withdrawal times are treatment free periods that are established by the Bureau of Veterinary Drugs, Health Canada.