Proposal for Oxytetracycline

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Veterinary Drugs Directorate
Holland Cross Complex
Tower A, Ground floor, Suite 14
11 Holland Avenue
Address Locator: 3000A
Ottawa, ON K1A OK9

File No: 9450-5-7

May 13, 2003

The Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) of Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada is considering regulatory amendments which may be of interest to your organization. As the designated contact person of your organization, I would appreciate your collaboration in distributing this information to the attention of all interested parties in your organization to solicit their comments.

More specifically, the Veterinary Drugs Directorate is proposing to establish Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in Table III to Division 15, Part B of the Food and Drug Regulations for Oxytetracycline in edible tissues of food producing animals, eggs and honey as indicated in the following table.

View Oxytetracycline in edible tissues of food producing animals Table
(This will open in a new window with a file size of 4 K )
(You may have to use the scroll bar to see the entire table)

Oxytetracycline is the most commonly used veterinary drug in Canada approved for use in many food producing animals including the following: breeder, broiler and replacement chickens, layer hens, turkeys, swine, cattle, bulls, calves, sheep, lactating and dry cows, heifers, lambs, lobsters, salmonids, and honey bees.

The result of our Health Risk Assessment shows that residues at the above noted concentrations will not pose any undue health risk for consumers. These proposed MRLs will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, after consideration of comments from stakeholders.At this time no MRL is being proposed for milk pending further consultation with the drug manufacturers.

I would appreciate receiving your comments on this proposal by June 27th, 2003. Comments should be sent to the attention of Dhurata Ikonomi, Public Involvement Officer, at the above noted address.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Diane Kirkpatrick
Director General