[Drug residues: consequences for stock owners].

The Netherlands Commodity Board for Livestock and Meat has every interest in supplying the consumer with a perfect product. This is confirmed in addition by the particular dependence on exports of this sector. The possibility to guarantee the absence of injurious residues will become an important positive competitive factor in trading Netherlands products in the EEC. However, the individual farmer conducting business is also led by other considerations: the state of health of his herd and the ratio between costs and profits of his own livestock farm. Mutatis mutandis, this also holds good for practitioners and the veterinary drugs industry. How can de gap between the short-term interests of the individual stock farm and the long-term interests of the livestock industry be bridged? By intensive guidance on the effects of individual activities on these long-term interests. By realistic co-operation in responsibility of the practitioner and individual stock farmer. By introducing a system of payment according to quality so that individual producers are effectively confronted with the consequences of their failure to comply with the regulations governing dosage or delays. Naturally, standards, methods of investigation as well as sampling and the like should be clear. An adequately functioning system of identification of cattle intended for slaughter is also included in the conditions. This part in monitoring the various stages from stock owner to consumer will bring the livestock farmer closer to the actual value of his product. When the inspection system benefits in turn by this identification and when the cost of examination of the ultimate product can be reduced, the sector will also profit in this respect.