January 4, 2010
UK to launch surprise feed inspections
Farmers in the UK involved in on-farm mixing of medicated feed will receive unannounced visits from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) from the start of 2010.
The VMD's Animal Medicines Inspectorate (AMI) will conduct a six-month trial period of unannounced inspection visits, starting January 1, following an audit recommendation from the EU Commission.
The purpose of the pilot project is to determine the practicality of unannounced visits and to look at ways of minimising any difficulties for the AMI and for farmers. The project will mainly affect pig farmers, with some fish, poultry, cattle and sheep farmers also affected.
Any business involved in on-farm mixing of medicated feed are urged by the National Farmers Union to ensure that all documents relating to medicated feed records or specified feed additives are available for inspection at all times.