Restricting free-flow of information will have profoundly negative impact on Defra’s welfare strategy - UK - Restricting effective, informative advertising by pharmaceutical companies to pig producers will have a profoundly negative effect on the implementation of the government’s animal welfare strategy, says NPA in its response to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s plans for a complete overhaul of animal medicine regulations.

National Pig Association THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & Whitehall, and with processors, supermarkets & caterers - fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry.

NPA has commended the directorate on producing a ‘clear and comprehensive’ consultation document that combines existing national law with new European Commission requirements. But it opposes plans for stricter advertising and distance-selling rules.

Although the directorate has modified its original advertising ban, it has not gone far enough to ensure a continued information flow to pig producers at a time when dissemination of health, welfare and biosecurity information has never been so important, says NPA.

‘There are a number of critical issues confronting the pig industry in the next few years, not least the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters from next January, which in turn will prompt increased scrutiny of zinc oxide levels in diets.

‘We are clear that limiting advertising to the manufacturer’s name and product name in a strap-line will limit the creativity necessary for an effective advertisement and will very likely have the same effect as the original Veterinary Medicines Directorate proposal.’

In its consultation response NPA says it recognises the directorate’s concerns about inappropriate advertising and shares its view that this should be addressed. It proposes that all advertising must comply with an accepted advertising code of practice, such as the National Office of Animal Health code of practice, which is policed by an independent committee

Source: National Pig Association - 10th May 2005