| Regulatory Services |
The Scientific Service
Agriculture
Contact details | Facilities | Overview | Services
"You are what you eat" applies to animals as well as humans. The correct balance of both macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins, fatty acids, trace elements and amino acids) is essential for animal health. It is therefore essential that the quality of animal feeds is carefully monitored.
Some animals form part of the human food chain. Intensive rearing of cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry can cause hygiene problems and can also lead to the presence of undesirable residues such as hormones and antibiotics in meats, eggs and poultry. Checks for food poisoning organisms and residues in foods are imperative.
Intensive farming methods have brought problems to the farming of cereal and vegetable crops too. Use of fertilisers can lead to high nitrate levels in water. Pesticides, herbicides and related substances are widely used in agriculture, aquaculture, buildings and domestic situations and their use can lead to residues of chemicals in the food and the environment.
The backlash in public opinion has resulted in a high demand for "organically grown" foods, free from pesticides and grown without the use of chemical fertilisers.
The public is protected by a host of legislation in particular The Agriculture Act 1970 which is intended to protect purchasers of fertilisers and feeding stuffs. The Act requires local authorities to appoint an Agricultural Analyst to enforce the scientific aspects of the Act.
Contact Details
Rachel New
| Email: | rachel.new@hants.gov.uk |
| Telephone Number: | (+44) (023) 9282 9501 |
| Fax Number: | (+44) (023) 9281 8347 |
| Address: | Hyde Park Road, Southsea, PO5 4LL |
 Top of this page |
 Scientific Service
Homepage |
Regulatory Services Homepage |
 Hantsweb Homepage |