FARMERS across North Yorkshire have been failing to keep proper records of the drugs they administered to their livestock, it has been revealed.

The survey has given rise to concerns that farmers are failing to understand the record-keeping requirements when giving veterinary medicines to their animals.

The law requires that, when farmers treat their livestock, records must be kept of the drugs used, the dates and the quantities administered.

The purpose is to ensure a safe period between treatment and the animal being slaughtered - to prevent residual amounts of those drugs getting into the human food chain.

However, the survey by the county's trading standards and regulatory service steam found that 77 per cent of farmers failed to keep proper records - and eight per cent kept no records at all.

At the moment there is no evidence to suggest that veterinary medicines are entering the food chain, as carcass testing is carried out at every abattoir as an additional safeguard.

But the regulatory team and the National Farmers' Union (NJU) are insisting that a high level of detail is required for all on-farm record keeping, and say it is important that farmers know and understand that.

The county council team, with NJU policy adviser Jonathan Birnie, plan to work together to help farmers in an effort to improve the current level of non-compliance with the rules.

Trading standards head Stuart Pudney said: "Many of the farmers surveyed claimed membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission's Assured British Beef and Lamb scheme, the rules of which are clear on the use of veterinary medicines and record-keeping.

"However, these farmers fared no better than those who were not members, with 73 per cent failing to record full details."

Farmers are being encouraged to seek advice by contacting either the trading standards team on (01609) 780780 or the NFU's regional office on (01904) 451550