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In April last year, I mentioned the start of a joint initiative with the poultry industry to identify ways in which farmers can reduce residues of the feed additive nicarbazin, a type of feed additive used to control coccidiosis, a disease that can prove fatal for poultry. Though not a significant food safety risk, consumers should reasonably expect veterinary medicine residues to be kept to a minimum in their food.
 
The results were published on 13 May in ‘Reducing the Incident and Levels of Nicarbazin Residues in British Chicken’, a good example of how the Agency can work with industry. Support for this initiative has been excellent and already seems to be having a positive affect on reducing detectable levels of nicarbazin residues. I hope the report’s recommendations will be taken up by the whole UK poultry industry and the incidence and levels of nicarbazin residues will continue to decline.