Stockfarming: prohibition of certain substances having a hormonal or thyreostatic action and of beta-agonists

The Council reached a general approach on a proposal for a Directive amending Council Directive 96/22/EC concerning the prohibition on the use in stockfarming of certain substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action and of beta agonists.

The agreed text will serve as a basis for informal trilogue discussions with the European Parliament in view of a first reading agreement.

The proposal is aimed at taking pet animals out of the scope of the legislation and prohibiting the use of oestradiol 17ß in food producing animals entirely. In addition, the definition of therapeutic treatment was adjusted, in particular with regard to the use of beta-agonists.