Nortesterone Review Chair announced

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew, has appointed Joan Ruddock to Chair the review of the alpha-nortestosterone issue.

The Minister said: “I am grateful to Joan for agreeing to review DARD’s handling of the alpha- nortestosterone issue. Her report will be vital in leading to a greater understanding of similar situations and improve future decision making.

“Joan is currently assessing the timescale that will be required to complete the review and I look forward to receiving what will be a comprehensive assessment of this whole issue.”

Ms Gildernew said that the outcome of the review would be made public and that the department would not be commenting further on the subject, prior to receiving the review and considering fully its contents.

In conclusion, the Minister said: “I will ensure that lessons are reflected in the handling of any similar issues in the future so that we can continue to discharge our statutory responsibility to protect the consumer and the reputation of the agri-food industry, while trying to minimise the disturbance to farmers.”

The review will look at all aspects of the issue, including:

• the scientific basis for the initiation of action;
• the follow-up action on farms;
• the rational for the decision to make an ex-gratia payment in respect of animals condemned; and
• lessons learnt.

Earlier this month, the Minister met with those farmers who have had on-farm emergency slaughter (OFES) male cattle condemned due to a positive alpha-nortestosterone test.

Speaking after that meeting, Ms Gildernew had said that it was evident that many farmers remain angry and frustrated about their treatment. In response she undertook to initiate a review of the handling of the alpha-nortestosterone issue and to see what lessons could be learned.

Farmers were offered a goodwill payment for cattle condemned after failing the hormone test as there was no evidence of illegal administration and scientific evidence now supports the view that this hormone can occur naturally in male cattle.

This ex-gratia payment was made as a gesture of goodwill towards the farming community and does not imply any acceptance of liability and has no implications for any other areas of DARD activity.

Notes to Editors:

1. A summary of Mrs Ruddock’s career history details are attached, as are the Terms of Reference of the Nortestosterone Review.

Review Terms of Reference:

To review DARD’s handling of the alpha-nortestosterone issue in response to findings of the hormone in cattle presented at meat plants after on-farm emergency slaughter;

To include specific consideration of the following aspects:

• the scientific basis for the initiation of action;
• the follow-up action on farms;
• the rationale for the decision to make an ex-gratia payment in respect of animals condemned; and
• lessons learnt.

To make recommendations on how the handling of any similar issues in the future could be improved, so that the Department can continue to discharge its statutory responsibility to protect the consumer and the reputation of the NI agri-food industry, while trying to minimise the disturbance to farmers.

Career History:

Mrs Ruddock has held senior executive and non-executive directorships in the private, public and voluntary sectors. She was Managing Director of The Educational Company 1990 to 1999 and from 1984 to 1990 was General Manager of the European Special Products Division of the electronics company, AVX. She is currently Chairperson of Belfast City Hospital Trust and a Parliamentary Boundary Commissioner. Mrs Ruddock was appointed as an independent board member to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on 4 December 2006.

2. Background

Between April 2006 and March 2007 DARD tested all male OFES cattle presented at meat plants for alpha-nortestosterone. All animals which tested positive were condemned and excluded from the food chain, in compliance with the law, with the farmer incurring the financial loss.

In March 2007, testing levels reverted to pre-April 06 arrangements, in line with GB practice. This means that all OFES male cattle entering an abattoir, destined for human consumption, will continue to be subject to a rigorous examination by the Official Veterinary Surgeon. However, only animals suspected of having been administered an illegal substance will be subject to the full range of residues tests, including a recently developed analytical method (hair test) which can distinguish between naturally occurring and illegally administered alpha-nortestosterone. Any male OFES bovine animal testing positive for alpha-nortestosterone will be removed from the food chain and the owner will receive payment, provided no evidence of illegal administration is uncovered.

3. 156 OFES male cattle were involved.

4. DARD commissioned Professor Wall, University College Dublin and former Head of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, to report on the sampling and testing procedures for illegal hormone residues in cattle. This report was published on 18 October 2006 and is available on the department’s website .

5. Media queries to DARD Press Office 028 9052 4619.