FDA Releases Virginiamycin Risk Assessment; Findings Demonstrate the Use of Virginiamycin in Animals Poses No Significant Threat to Human Health.

FORT LEE, N.J. -- Phibro Animal Health Corporation announced today that the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released the findings of its draft risk assessment for the animal drug virginiamycin.

In the FDA's draft report, the authors demonstrate that the continued use of virginiamycin -- a medicated feed additive manufactured and marketed by Phibro Animal Health -- in livestock and poultry feed poses no significant risk to human health.

The FDA findings are consistent with extensive analysis conducted on behalf of Phibro Animal Health by Dr. Tony Cox, one of the world's leading authorities on risk assessment. In a recent study, Dr. Cox not only determined that the continued use of virginiamycin poses minimal risk to human health, but that a ban could lead to a significant increase in food-borne illness. By improving the health of livestock and poultry, virginiamycin minimized the likelihood of human exposure to harmful food-borne bacteria.

"We are pleased the FDA has now released this long awaited virginiamycin risk assessment" said David McBeath, President, Phibro Animal Health. "The findings are consistent with our own conclusions about the historical safety of virginiamycin and its role in protecting both animal and human health."

Recent events in the European Union have underscored the importance of medicated feed additives in protecting the food supply. In 1998, Denmark banned the use of some antibiotics in food-producing animals; yet the incidence of food-born illness has continued to rise and has tripled over the past 20 years. Since the Danish ban, they have also recorded a 78% increase in the use of other therapeutic antibiotics to treat increased levels of animal disease.

"The use of medicated feed additives is a critical component of a comprehensive herd management plan," said Dr. Richard Coulter, Vice President, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs for Phibro Animal Health. "Modern animal agriculture keeps livestock and poultry healthy and disease-free by implementing advanced management practices, which include the use of medicated feed additives."

Phibro Animal Health Corporation is a leading diversified global manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of animal health and nutrition products for use in poultry, swine and cattle.