The FVO has just published an overview report evaluating the Member States' 2013 monitoring plans for residues of veterinary medicines and other contaminants in food of animal origin. For the first time, the FVO also examined the ability of national laboratories to monitor for residues of critically important antimicrobials (CIAs). This report forms part of the road map of the European Commission's action plan against the rising threats from antimicrobial resistance. The report finds that EU Member States do monitor animal products for a range of residues of veterinary antimicrobials (including most of the CIAs evaluated). The ability of Member States to test for residues of these substances in food of animal origin is useful to identify any misuse of these drugs. For example, if the test results showed that the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) were exceeded, a possible explanation could be that the animals had been given an excessive dose. An alternative explanation could be that the withdrawal period prior to slaughter had not been respected or was insufficient.