Control and prevention of antibiotic residues and contaminants in sheep and goat's milk

The use of veterinary drugs to treat mastitis and other pathologies in dairy sheep and goats is a usual practice in current production systems. The risk of antibiotic residues in milk on farms is high if good farming practices are not applied, in this sense control measures must be implemented to prevent drug residues from entering the food chain. Moreover there are other compounds that may contaminate milk via the environment, water or animal feed, such as mycotoxins that are one of the most harmful contaminants given their negative effects on consumer health. This work presents the problems that arise when residues and contaminants are present in sheep and goat's milk. It also addresses the causes and the consequences of their presence, and the main measures of prevention and control required to guarantee milk that is safe for consumers and of high quality for the dairy industry.