Lead poisoning

Image of lead batteries

Every year VLA investigates cases of lead poisoning in cattle and sheep. Fatal lead poisoning usually occurs due to the exposure of stock to point sources of lead.

Lower level exposure, insufficient to cause poisoning, is still a cause of concern as it can cause concentrations of lead residues in milk, offal and meat to exceed permitted limits (Contaminants in Food Regulations).

Therefore even in the absence of clinical lead poisoning cases occurring on a farm, it is still possible that produce might not meet European residue limits and be deemed unfit for human consumption.

Lead poisoning advice (pdf)

In collaboration with the Food Standards Agency, VLA has also produced a leaflet on how to prevent on-farm lead poisoning.