EU to ban four antibiotic feed additives
03 December 1998
EU to ban four antibiotic feed additives
EUROPEAN UNION measures to combat bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) look likely to ignite trade friction with the USA over drugs and cosmetics.
Some 10 EU members have voted against proposals for fighting BSE.
The move means that an earlier proposal to force countries to remove specified risk material from cattle remains on the agenda.
The earlier proposal includes a clause that could halt imports of cosmetics and drugs containing cattle parts from 1 January.
Member states were against the plans for fighting BSE because it would force them to adopt different strategies against the disease depending on its incidence in their countries.
The US has previously complained bitterly about the threat to its exports from the ban on specified risk material.
- Financial Times 03/12/98 page 3 (News Digest)
EU to ban four antibiotic feed additives
THE European Union is preparing to ban four antibiotics used in animal feed.
The measure won the support of 10 member states and is likely to be endorsed by farm ministers.
The drugs are: Spiramycin (manufactured by Rhone-Poulenc); Virginiamycin (Pfizer); Tysolin phosphate (Elanco); and Bacitran zinc.
The argument for the ban has been sparked by increased concern that antibiotics in animal feed could build up bacterial resistance in humans to drugs.
The European Commission has also proposed a ban on two feed additives made by Pfizer and Bayer. It says they too could endanger human health.
- Antibiotic growth promoters set to be banned, FWi, 24 November, 1998
- EU plans to ban four feed antibiotics, FWi, 12 November, 1998
- Financial Times 03/12/98 page 3