Topics and Briefing Documents

Animal Medicines and the Environment

Wildlife, both animals and plants, must be protected from any potential harm from medicines and their residues.

That is why European law requires manufacturers of animal medicines to assess any potential harmful effects which the use of animal medicines may have on the environment, and identify any precautionary measures to reduce any such risks.

These environmental risk assessments are carried out according to European and International guidelines, and assessed by environmental experts at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate or European Medicines Evaluation Agency. Only when these experts are satisfied that the products are safe for the environment are companies allowed to sell the medicines. The assessment is reviewed every five years to ensure it is kept up to date with the latest standards and knowledge. The VMD also works with other government bodies including the Environment Agency and the Wildlife Incidents Investigation Service to monitor any environmental incidents involving animal medicines, and to take any necessary action.

Briefing documents

• Endectocides and the environment
• The environmental benefits of dietary enhancing feed additives
• Pharmacovigilance: Monitoring Suspected Adverse Reactions to Animal Medicines
• Controls on Animal Medicines
• Common Questions about Medicines for Farm Animals

Press releases

• Take the best from organic and conventional farming (22 February 2001)
• NOAH welcomes Advertising Standards Authority ruling on Soil Association (12 July 2000)
• Digestive enhancers can help meet Kyoto methane target (30 November 1999)
• NOAH rejects Pesticide Tax as a 'Tax on Animal Welfare' (23 June 1999)
• NOAH reminds farmers of Groundwater deadline (19 March 1999)
• Animal medicine disposal: register your farm now (27 January 1999)
• Dip Disposal Treatments Help Farmers Minimise Pollution Risk (1 August 1997)

See also

• Stop Every Drop campaign