Brussels, 05/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 4 June, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a total ban on the use of oestradiol 17ß to treat food-producing animals. This hormonal substance is currently still authorised, for use in very restricted cases and under veterinary supervision, to treat reproductive disorders in some farm animals. The Commission believes the withdrawal of products containing oestradiol 17ß “will have no or only a negligible negative effect” on farmers, practising vets and the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. Some vets and farmers will have to become accustomed to new veterinary medicinal products, such as prostaglandins, which are already on the market. In 1981, the European Union banned the use of substances having a hormonal action for growth promotion in farm animals. In 1999, 2000 and 2002, the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public health (SCVMPH) concluded that oestradiol 17ß had to be considered a carcinogen, in that it had an effect on both the formation and activation of tumours.
The Commission says the banning of this substance will make the EU stance against the use of growth hormones more consistent and, therefore, more easily defensible internationally.
In addition, the Commission proposes specific legislation authorising the use of certain hormonal substances to improve the health of pet animals (to treat hyperthyroidism in dogs and cats). The use of these products was banned in the past in order to avoid their being used on farm animals. The Commission says, however, that there is no economic interest in using products for pets on, for example, cattle. (lc)