Adriana Fernández Suárez, Argentina
During the years 2002-2003 several control laboratories in member countries of the EU detected trace amounts of veterinary drugs without ADI/MRL (mainly chloramphenicol and nitrofurans) in food animal products imported from South American Countries (SACs).
The affected countries were forced to take appropriate measures and were temporarily withdrawn from the list of approved exporters for the corresponding food.
This paper describes the cases of detection of residues of banned veterinary products in SACs, how these events affected the international trade and how the SACs have responded to these challenges.
Nitrofurans (NFs) and chloramphenicol (CL) are banned for use in food-producing animals in most SACs. These antibiotics have been forbidden following the prohibitions of use in USA and EU (1992-1993) or as consequence of the presence of residues of these substances detected in food products of SACs (Argentine, Resolutions 248/95 and 253/95 http/:infoleg.mecon.gov.ar; Brazil Decision 89/1998; Uruguay, Resolution 255/98; Chile Resolution 35/99 and 15/00; Paraguay, Resolution Nr.21/02, Ecuador Resolution 10079/2002). Since the EU implemented legislation that requires testing for residues of nitrofurans and chloramphenicol (May 2002), residue analysis of these drugs have been incorporated in the national residue control programs using the analytical methodologies available in each country or, if not possible, making agreements with European laboratories.
The following residue positive cases of banned substances have been reported owing to the improvements of analytical methods which lowered the levels of detections for residues of these drugs considerably:
1. April 2002- Residues of NFs in poultry and porcine meat from Brazil.
Measures implemented:
- Analysis of all lots (100%) of poultry and porcine production (low sensitive LC/MS/MS available)
- Export of those consignments only that are officially certified as residue-free.
August 2002- no more positive cases
October 2002- EU authorized to reduce the analysis to the 20 % of lots.
CL residues have been detected in prawns and shrimp from Brazil too. No information about concrete measures implemented is available.
2. April 2002- Residues of NFs and CL in prawns and shrimps from Ecuador
Measures implemented:
- No analytical technology was available; therefore residue analysis is made by British laboratories under a technical cooperation agreement between the British Standard Inspectorate (BSI) and the Instituto Nacional de Pesca (Fishery) from Equator.
- Acquisition of LC/MS/MS equipment; residue analysis is not implemented yet.
3. 2003- Residues of malaquite green in salmons from Chile
Residue analysis made by agreements with European laboratories.
4. August 2003- Residues of NFs and CLs in honey from Argentine.
Argentina's honey production overview
Since1997, Argentina was the first exporter and second/third producer of honey following China (first producer and second exporter) and USA. Argentine produces a great diversity of honey well differenced by their botanic origin, a light-coloured and soft honey ideal for blending ("miel pampa") as well as queen bees, propolis, pollen, and honey syrups.
In 2002, the withdrawal of China from the list of honey approved importers to UE (decision followed by USA and Canada) because of the presence of chloramphenicol residues together with the climatic problems suffered by other world producers have induced the growing of argentine production due to the significant increase of the international market for Argentine honey.
Since 2003, Argentina is the major producing and exporting country. During 2003, exportation volumes have increased 45 % comparing to 2002. Data form 2003 indicated 25000 registered beekeepers and more than 2,5 million of producing colonies that have grown at 22 % over the last three years.
The EU is the main export market accounting for 72 % of total export volumes, only Germany accounting for 50 %. Other key export markets include Japan (2%) Australia (8%) USA (6%) and Canada (6 %).
Brazil, Uruguay and Chile, even if very minor producers, have also incremented their productions. In 2003, Brazil exported 11000 tons to Germany, USA and Spain.
However, in August 2003 the "honey moon" for Argentine honey was over when the EU laboratories detected NFs (and also CL) residues. The problem was restricted to the NF residues because the presence of CL residues was rapidly overcome
The national authorities (SENASA: National Service of Animal Health and Food Quality) in agreement with honey producers and exporters implemented the following measures as a whole strategy to control the appearance of violative residues:
Residue Control
Resolution 25/8/03 of SENASA introduced for exportation the mandatory testing for NFs in all the consignments in order to certify them as "free of NFs".
- Residue analysis of NFs was quickly adapted to be in compliance with the European requirements in the residue laboratory of the national network having LC/MS/MS equipment available.
- In the National Residue Program:
a) The sampling for NFs in honey changed from a monitoring system to a surveillance system (one analysis each 60 tons of honey)
b) A monitoring sampling was introduced for all the food and species contained in the plan
c) For poultry, monitoring of feed and water was established.
Detection of adulterated or non-authorized products or misuse of the drugs.
- Inspections of farms and veterinary products expenders
In case of positive residues, follow up to the beekeeper, inspection of the farm trying to determine the origin of the residues, inspection of the deposits of the establishment and analysis of veterinary products used, investigation of the veterinary products expended and employed in the area in order to detect adulterated or non authorized products.
Between August 2003 and April 2004, official authorities analyzed 72 commercial products and 7 of them were positives, being authorized products adulterated with NFs. By Disposition 88/04, SENASA decided to withdraw these products from the list of approved products for marketing.
- Inquiries of producers about suspicious products used for honey production through internet questionnaires (www.sagpya.gov.ar/alimentos) or producers associations.
- Establishing of the requirement of veterinary authorities authorization (SENASA) for the importation of antibiotics destined to human medicine.
- Checking Custom Registration Files for the importation of NFs, intention of use declared and effective use for this purpose by the importer laboratory.
Technical advice to honey producers
- SENASA recommendations for:
a) Exclusive use of products for honey production authorized and inventoried in SENASA website (www.alimentosargentinos.gov.ar/apicola)
- Workshops to inform honey producers about safety practices organized by national authorities or universities. (ex. "Exporting food: Honey Safe Production", May 2003, Secretaría de Agricultura, Argentina; " Workshop on Honey Safety", October 2003, Universidad de Tandil, Provincia de Buenos Aires)b) Consultation to beekeepers organizations (SADA: Argentine Society of Beekeepers) for provision of information on good practices.
Improving the traceability system.
Since 2002, Resolution 353/02 from SENASA established that honey tanks for exportation must be processed in authorized extraction rooms registered in the National Register of Honey Producers (RENAPA: Registro Nacional de Productores Apícolas) and identified with the number corresponding to the extraction room. After the events of August 2003, Resolution 183/03 established that the extraction rooms must be also authorized and registered by SENASA and all the tanks must be identified with the number of tank and the number corresponding to the extraction room. Argentine has more than 80 authorized extraction rooms also inspected by importers.
As consequence of these measures, the number of violative cases has decreased. In 2003 were detected 53 positive cases of NFs in honey and 2 in poultry meat, but only 8 cases in honey during 2004 until now. Investment in LC/MS/MS new equipment has been made in order to increase the analysis capacity. Criteria for setting reporting limits in LC/MS/MS techniques are still being discussed.
