Antimicrobials are substances used to kill micro-organisms or to stop them growing and multiplying. They are commonly used to treat infectious diseases in human and veterinary medicine for instance in the form of antibiotics.

Safe animal feed is important for the health of animals, the environment and for the safety of foods of animal origin. There are many examples of the close link between the safety of animal feed and the foods we eat.

Genetically modified (GM) foods can only be used in the European Union if they have passed a rigorous safety assessment. The procedures for evaluation and authorisation of GM foods are laid down in Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on GM food and feed, which came into force in April 2004 and in Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of GMO’s, which came into force in March 2001.