Animals are
exposed during their lifetime to different chemicals that
could lead to the presence of undesirable substances likely
to be harmful to human health in food of animal origin. A
further exposure to such substances may occur while processing
in the food production chain. These substances are generally
defined as residues. The concept of residue and the measures
to control the presence of chemical residues in food of animal
origin are established in
Council Directive N° 96/23/EC (on measures to monitor certain
substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal
products).
Community legislation identifies the
following three possible origins of undesirable chemical residues
in food of animal origin:
Residues of substances used for therapeutic
purposes (e.g. antibiotics);
Residues of substances used illegally
(e.g. hormones);
Residues of environmental contaminants
(e.g. heavy metals).
For the purpose of residue control the
European Union has created a network of laboratories. This
network consists of four Community Reference Laboratories (CRLs,
designated in N° 96/23/EC), National Reference laboratories (NRLs)
designed by each Member State and routine laboratories also
responsibility of MS.
The functions of the CRLs for the detection
of residues in the veterinary public health field are defined
in Annex V to Council Directive N° 96/23/EC and could be summarised
as follows:
to develop new analytical methods
and validate them to be used as a reference, and keep informed
the NRLs about the advances in methods and equipment;
to assist NRLs by helping them to:
implement
quality assurance system
technical advice
training courses
comparative tests
identify residues in case of disagreement between Member States and
to provide the Commission with technical and scientific advise.
