The imprisonment of farmers for abusing the growth-promoter known as angel dust appears to have brought an end to the use of the substance. No traces of the drug were found in samples from 8,164 cattle tested in the first quarter of this year by Department of Agriculture officials, figures released yesterday show.
However, the tests on live animals and meat did find some evidence of abuse of growth-promoters. Seventeen positive samples were found in tests carried out on 8,450 cattle in the period.
Traces of hormone residue were also found in 17 out of 286 beef samples tested in the period. Residues of trenbolone, testosterone propionate and in three cases residue from pellet implants were uncovered in an investigation of one farm.
There was also some evidence of abuse or overuse of antibiotics in both cattle and pigs. Nineteen samples from a total of 706 bovine samples came up positive. In pigs, where 11,551 samples were tested, 128 positive samples were found, and four positive samples were found in sheepmeat where 225 tests were conducted.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Mr Ned O'Keeffe, yesterday welcomed the findings and said it was a continuation of last year's trend. He attributed this to the results of vigorous enforcement policies over a number of years and to the industry's efforts at all levels.
On the positive hormone results, Mr O'Keeffe said these had come from one farm which is being investigated by the Department. He pledged continuing vigilance and announced he had extended the range of tests being carried out, especially in the poultry sector.