By : Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Dear farmers and farm workers, I write this note to advise and appeal to you once again to Strictly adhere to protocols of animal health and disease control on-farm.
Do not harvest animal products ( milk, beef/meat, or blood ) for consumption when the animal is under treatment at all times.
Please allow the withdrawal period of 14 days to pass and then resume the milking and or slaughter. If not sure consult your local vet or extension worker at the nearest subcounty.
I appeal to our local government extension workers both public & private and all community leaders to amplify this message as a public health measure and ensure compliance among farmers.
Why observe the 14 days? Drug residues happen when an animal is given drugs, and those drugs remain above safe tolerance levels in either the animal’s milk before processing or tissues after slaughter.
Because drug residues in milk and meat have important food safety considerations, farmers have to be advised repeatedly to observe the recommended safety precautions on farm during treatment.
Remember; Animal health is also Human health (#OneHealth )