Unique-Check (UC) are pleased to announce their first workshop on “Unequivocal detection of illegal growth hormone using conventional and biosensor immunoassays” organised in the frame of the UC project. This three-day event will take place in the ASSET centre, Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use, Queen’s University Belfast, UK. Participants will receive the opportunity to undertake training on the new technique developed by UC members.

This workshop will:

1. Familiarise you with new immunoassays (biosensor/ELISA) developed for the detection of illegal growth hormone.
2. Outline the commercial implications for your company or institution.                

Contact:

Dr Owen Kavanagh
Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use
David Keir Building
Stramillis Road
Belfast BT9 5AG
Tel: + 44 (0) 2890 974155
Email: o.kavanagh@qub.ac.uk

Background

The use of recombinant bovine growth hormone, or somatotropin, to increase milk production has been a common practice in many countries since the commercial product became available in 1994. Such use however has never been approved in the EU and was banned in 1999 (Council Decision 1999/879/EC). Although the administration and marketing of rBST is banned in the EU, imports of milk and dairy products from rBST treated animals into the EU are unaffected. There are currently no detection methods that allow the definitive identification of rBST-treated animal products.

Final Programme