Drug warning as chicken farmer is fined
15 February 2001
Drug warning as chicken farmer is fined
By FWi staff
WARWICKSHIRE magistrates have sent out a warning to farmers after prosecuting a chicken producer who allowed antibiotics to enter the food chain.
Mohammed Yaseen, owner of Kalyal Poultry, Fillongley, was fined 3000 plus costs of 3012.50 at Atherstone Magistrates Court.
He pleaded guilty to six offences of ignoring the withdrawal period for antibiotics to pass out of chickens before supplying them for human consumption.
Noel Hunter, director of Warwickshire Trading Standards, said antibiotics in the food chain could weaken the effectiveness of antibiotics given to humans.
“This is why we take these cases so seriously and why we felt it necessary to bring this prosecution,” he said.
There were 18,874 chickens involved and Mr Yaseen did not offer any mitigation. Magistrates imposed the fine on 6 February.
The law states that poultry treated with antibiotics must be given medicine-free feed for long enough to ensure there is virtually no trace left at slaughter.