[Drug residues: consequences for stock owners]

Area of Science:

• Animal science
• Food safety
• Agricultural economics

Context:

• The Netherlands livestock and meat sector faces export dependence and the need for residue-free products.
• Individual farmers prioritize herd health and farm profitability, creating a potential conflict with industry-wide quality goals.
• Veterinary practitioners and the pharmaceutical industry share similar short-term versus long-term interest considerations.

Purpose:

• To explore strategies for aligning individual livestock farm interests with the long-term objectives of the broader livestock industry.
• To identify methods for ensuring product quality and safety in the meat supply chain.
• To propose solutions for enhancing the competitiveness of Netherlands' livestock products in the European Economic Community (EEC).

Summary:

• Proposes bridging the gap through intensive guidance on the impact of individual actions on long-term industry interests.
• Advocates for realistic cooperation between veterinary practitioners and individual farmers.
• Suggests implementing a quality-based payment system and robust cattle identification for improved monitoring and reduced examination costs.

Impact:

• A quality-based payment system and effective cattle identification can align farmer incentives with industry standards.
• Improved monitoring throughout the supply chain enhances product value and consumer confidence.
• Reduced examination costs and guaranteed residue absence can boost the sector's economic competitiveness in the EEC.