Abstract:
An estimated 6051 tons of active substances went into the
production of veterinary pharmaceuticals (VPs) for the
treatment of food animals in the European Union (EU) in
2004, including 5393 tons of antibiotics and 194 tons of antiparasitics
(1). With global meat production projected to
increase (2) and the growing market for companion animal
pharmaceuticals (3), t he u se o f VPs w ill c ontinue t o i ncrease.
Although VPs may benefit the health and welfare of
domestic animals and the efficiency of food animal production,
they can contaminate the environment through manufacturing,
treatment of animals, and disposal of carcasses,
offal, urine, feces, and unused products (4) (see the chart).
This contamination is a threat to nontarget species, including
humans. With Spain having recently authorized marketing
of a V P t hat w as b anned i n S outh A sia i n t he p ast
decade in light of environmental impacts, we recommend
strengthening of current procedures and addition of a more
proactive, holistic, One Health approach applicable to all
VPs.
