PFAS Team
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management
What are the penalties for having a drug residue violation in meat or milk products?
When residues are found in meat or milk products, MDA Dairy and Meat Inspectors respond quickly. Livestock producers, feed mills, and veterinarians can face stiff consequences for allowing residues to occur. These range from monetary penalties to losing permission to sell milk or meat, either temporarily or permanently. The MDA has the authority to suspend or revoke licenses or permits from feed mills and dairy farms if they are not handling veterinary drugs responsibly. Learn more about avoiding drug residues in meat (pdf) and penalties for drug residues in milk (pdf).
Dairy Inspection:
- Conduct on-farm inspections of dairy producers, including drug storage and labeling practices
- Inspect processing facilities
- Oversee testing of milk for antibiotics
Meat Inspection:
- Inspect slaughter and processing facilities to ensure animals are handled humanely and food is produced in a safe and hygienic manner
- Sample both suspect and random carcasses to test for drug residue violations during slaughter inspections
Milk:
- Sample and test every load of milk entering milk processing facilities
- Sample and test milk from individual farms
- Sample and test finished dairy products
Meat:
- Sample and test carcasses in slaughter plants
When residues are found in meat or milk products, MDA Dairy and Meat Inspectors respond quickly. Livestock producers, feed mills, and veterinarians can face stiff consequences for allowing residues to occur. These range from monetary penalties to losing permission to sell milk or meat, either temporarily or permanently. The MDA has the authority to suspend or revoke licenses or permits from feed mills and dairy farms if they are not handling veterinary drugs responsibly. Learn more about avoiding drug residues in meat (pdf) and penalties for drug residues in milk (pdf).
July 10, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing to treat six sites in central and northern St. Louis County to slow the spread of spongy moth. Officials will conduct the aerial management activities the starting July 11 beginning as early as 6:30 a.m. each day and continuing throughout the day. The dates are dependent on weather conditions in the area and will take several days.
Treatments will take place in the cities of Hibbing, Mountain Iron, and Virginia as well as three rural areas in the county. There are maps of the sites available on the MDA website. Residents can also look up their address on an interactive map to determine if they are within any of these blocks.
The MDA will use a method of mating disruption involving the aerial application of an organically certified, waxy, food-grade substance containing pheromones specific to spongy moths that confuses the male moths. This makes it difficult for the male spongy moths to find females for mating, reducing mating success. The result is fewer caterpillars hatching and attacking trees next year. Application is timed just as adult moths emerge in early summer.
The mating disruption product will be applied by low-flying yellow planes contracted by the U.S. Forest Service in a joint project with the MDA. The product is not harmful to humans, animals, birds, or other insects, and will help protect forest health, property values, and the state’s tourism industry.
To help area citizens stay informed, the MDA has set up a Report a Pest Info Line at 1-888-545-MOTH with the latest details about treatment dates and times. On the morning of the treatments, residents can call the phone number with any questions they may have. Simply press 0 (zero) to speak to someone. The MDA's website also has information about spongy moths and control efforts.
Residents can also sign up for updates about treatment progress:
- Text “MNMDA NORTH” to 66468 to receive text notifications.
- Text “MNMDA NORTH” [your email address here]” to 66468 to receive email notifications.
Or sign up online for text or email notifications.
Spongy moths are among America's most destructive tree pests, having caused millions of dollars in damage to eastern forests. The moths are now threatening Minnesota. If present in large numbers, spongy moth caterpillars can defoliate large sections of forest. Oak, poplar, birch, and willow are among their preferred hosts. The moths spread slowly on their own, but people can unintentionally help them spread by transporting firewood or other items on which the moths have laid their eggs.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 1-888-545-6684 or reportapest@state.mn.us with questions regarding spongy moth and the planned treatment.
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Media Contact
Brittany Raveill, MDA Communications
651-201-6131
Brittany.Raveill@state.mn.us
