The efficacy of flea and tick products for pets has a downside: consequences for the environment. As there is currently no guidance available on how environmental risk assessment for ectoparasiticides for companion animals should be undertaken, the Committee of veterinary medicinal products (CVMP) of the European medicines agency is proposing a methodology.
Growing concern
There is growing concern that residues of ectoparasiticides for pets in surface waters may exceed ‘predicted no-effect levels’ (PNECs) in both wastewater and freshwaters, the CVMP notes. Its 7-page concept paper describes the issue in detail and contains numerous scientific references.
Reply by 31 October
The CVMP concept paper is open for public consultation until 31 October, and invites comments on the scope and aims of a future regulatory framework. More information can be found here. Comments should be provided using this template, and the completed comments form should be sent here.
(©photo Aldo Houtkamp/Unsplash)