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VMD to ban some flukicides
Use of certain flukicides to be banned in milk-producing animals

The VMD have announced a ban on the use of certain flukicides in animals producing milk for human consumption. Speaking last week at the Animal Health Distributors Association conference, Paul Green, director of operations at the directorate said the decision had come from the European Commission (EC). The ban aims to "clarify and harmonise" the advice on using these types of products across the member states.

Mr Green said: "The advice confirms that products containing clorsulon, closantel, nitroxinil, triclabendazole and rafoxanide are not authorised for use in animals producing milk for human consumption, including during the dry period."

However, he added that products containing one of these compounds as their sole active substance will be subject to "specific directions", with regards to their use in heifers and ewes prior to the first calving or lambing. For example, clostanel can be given to pregnant cattle, but not during the second half of pregnancy, whereas triclabendazole cannot be used within the year prior to the first lambing or kidding in sheep and goats respectively.

No UK-authorised products contain rafoxanide, and clorsulon is currently only included in UK products in combination with a second active substance, meaning there are no special circumstances with either of these two substances.

According to the directorate, the decision by the EC comes after a "community interest referral", which is a change initiated by concerns regarding the protection of the EU's human and/or animal health. As a result of the decision there will be major changes to the labelling of affected products across the EU. Mr Green said that the marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) concerned were taking the "necessary steps" to introduce the new labelling. Products containing the new advice will start to become available "in about six months time".

More information and a complete list of the specific directions is available on the VMD's website.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.