In order to treat animals and keep animal health products effective, farmers and veterinarians need access to a variety of products. Quality assurance programs, developed by livestock and poultry producers with help from the animal health products industry, promote proper and effective use of all animal health products, including antimicrobials. These programs stress the importance of a strong working relationship between producers and their veterinarians. They also teach efficient management practices and emphasize proper drug use as a way of improving the safety of the food supply. Veterinarians play a crucial role in the judicious use of animal health products, including antimicrobials.
Veterinarians keep detailed records on the animals and herds they treat.
This patient history helps them choose effective, safe therapies. The agriculture industry is also exploring new processing methods which can help eliminate harmful bacteria. Antimicrobial residues are trace amounts of an antimicrobial remaining in meat after processing or in milk. Health Canada has established levels of antimicrobial residues that are deemed safe and may legally be in the edible tissues of the animal at the time of processing or in the milk. Provincial regulators monitor the milk supply.