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The aim of these rules is to prohibit the illegal use in stock farming of substances that have a hormonal or thyrostatic action and beta-agonists.

The rules also aim to prevent the residues these substances leave in meat and other foodstuffs from entering the human or animal food chain.

You must:

1. observe the relevant withdrawal period if your food-producing animals have been given any of the restricted substances in line with the permitted exceptions

2. make veterinary medicinal records relating to restricted substances available to the competent authority, or anyone acting on behalf of the competent authority, on request

You must not:

1. give food-producing animals restricted substances* (unless in line with any permitted exceptions*)

2. have substances on your farm that contain beta-agonists to induce tocolysis in cows when calving (for example, clenbuterol hydrochloride)

3. have food-producing animals on your farm to which a restricted substance has been administered (unless given in line with any permitted exceptions)

4. place on the market, or send to slaughter for human consumption, any animal to which a restricted substance has been administered (unless given in line with any permitted exceptions)

5. place on the market meat, or any other animal product, derived from an animal to which any restricted substance has been administered (unless given in line with any permitted exceptions)

The Product Information Database on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate website contains the most up-to-date information on medicines authorised for use in farm animals in the UK.

The database includes any withdrawal periods.

Veterinary Medicines Directorate: tel 01932 336911

Product Information Database

*Explanation of terms

'Restricted substances’ means thyrostatic substances, stilbenes, stilbene derivatives, their salts and esters, oestradiol 17ß and its ester-like derivatives and substances having oestrogenic, androgenic or gestogenic action and beta-agonists.

'Exceptions' exist for the use in certain circumstances of veterinary medicines containing testosterone, progesterone, allyl trenbolone and beta-agonists, and having oestrogenic, androgenic or gestagenic action.

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