A programme of method development is underway at the Central Veterinary Laboratory to screen meat, kidney, liver, bile and urine for residues. The classes of analytes include antibiotics, beta-agonists, hormones and anthelmintics with the majority being detected by immunoassay. A unified approach has been employed both for the operational use of the screening methods and in the development of the assays themselves. This allows a high degree a standardisation of the methodology and the facile incorporation of appropriate quality assurance protocols necessary to provide defined, accurate data. The advantages and application of bulk production of coated plates, enzyme conjugates and quality assurance materials as well as the use of standardised assay formats are demonstrated by reference to analytical data obtained in the routine operation of analyses for chloramphenicol, cloxacillin, streptomycin and sulphadimidine and penicillin G.
