Ban Veterinary Diclofenac Now! - Our Campaign

 Home                         Our Campaign                         Take Action!                         FAQ  

• BirdLife International and the Vulture Conservation Foundation are advocating for a complete ban on the use of veterinary diclofenac in the EU. In parallel, BirdLife Partners are working nationally to inform local authorities and diclofenac distributors of the risk linked to the veterinary use of this dangerous drug.

   

  Targeting the EU

  BirdLife Europe has advocated actively towards the EU and Member States to start a referral procedure to revaluate the legal permits to sell and use veterinary diclofenac in Europe. Under the referral procedure, the European Commission requests the European Medicines Agency for a scientific opinion.

  Following on the opening by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) of a public consultation to assess the risks of vultures in connection to the use of veterinary drugs containing diclofenac, BirdLife International, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Wildlife Conservation Society put together a reasoned opinion to EMA. Our report, written by some of the most experienced vulture experts in the world, gives a complete description of the risks diclofenac poses to our European Vulture populations and calls for an immediate ban of this drug. 

  We hope the consultation will be followed by a decision of the Commission to withdraw the drug from the market or discontinue commercialisation. We argue that the risk assessment legally required has failed to take into consideration the well-proven negative effects of veterinary diclofenac on biodiversity, and that the risks of a vulture and eagle collapse in Europe far outweigh the benefits, particularly when alternative drugs are available for the same treatments.

   

  Working Nationally

  Veterinary diclofenac does not have a central marketing approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It is authorised independently in each Member State. Despite legal requirements, environmental risks have not been properly considered, at least in Spain and Italy.

  In both countries, BirdLife Partners SEO/Birdlife (Spain) and LIPU (Italy) are alerting cattle-owners and other actors in key vulture and eagle areas. They are also in close contact with veterinary associations and relevant authorities, asking them to ban diclofenac immediately.

  To date, and despite some positive feedback, diclofenac can still be bought in both countries. We have also found evidence of this drug being sold illegally on the Internet in at least two other countries.

  Want to know more? Check out SEO/BirdLife and LIPU websites.

   

  Targeting diclofenac distributors

  In Spain, veterinary diclofenac is marketed under two brand names, Diclovet, and Dolofenac, both registered by FATRO Iberica SL. In Italy, veterinary diclofenac is marketed under the name Reuflogin by FATRO S.p.A.

  We are asking FATRO to voluntarily withdraw the commercialisation of veterinary diclofenac. Cattle owners would be able to use other safe products such as meloxicam. 

• Latest News

  4 September 2015 - Conservationists launch appeal on Vulture Awareness Day: “Ban killer drug or Europe’s birds face extinction” 

   

  9 November 2014 - The Convention for Migratory Species approves Guidelines that explicitly recommend the ban of veterinary diclofenac.

   

  10 October 2014 - BirdLife, IFAW and WCS respond to EMA's consultation ''Is diclofenac a threat to European vultures?''. Read our cover letter and detailed report.

   

  22 September 2014 - European Medicines Agency must rule on killer drug by November 30. Is Europe closer to saving its vultures and eagles?

   

  7 July 2014 - The European Commission officially stated in June that they will approach the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to get their scientific position on the issue. BirdLife and VCF have sent a letter to EMA offering support.

   

  16 July 2014 - The UN's Convention on Migratory Species Scientific Council asks for a global ban on veterinary diclofenac. Read their guidelines.

  ---

  Briefings and Policy Documents

  • Letter to  Commisioner Andriukaitis (20 November 2014)
  • BirdLife's official response to EMA public consultation on veterinary Diclofenac (10 October 2014)
  • Briefing: European vultures severly threatened by legal approval of veterinary diclofenac in Europe (3 March 2014)
  • Technical briefing on diclofenac availability and threats (April 2014)
  • Letter sent to the European Commission calling on an EU ban of veteriary diclofenac (3 March 2014)
  • Campaign statement (March 2014)

  ---

  

  ---

  Archive

  • Press Release: European Medicines Agency must rule on killer drug by November 30. Is Europe closer to saving its vultures and eagles? (22 September 2014)

  • Letter: The director of SAVE Vultures project sends a letter to diclofenac distributors (20 June 2014)

  • Letter: Environmental NGOs send a letter to the Ministry of Environment in Portugal (6 June 2014)

  • News article: Society for Conservation Biology also warns of diclofenac threat (5 June 2014)

  • Letter: Wildlife Conservation Society supports BirdLife campaign (21 May 2014)

  • Letter: Raptor Research Foundation asks Commissioner to withdraw drug (28 April 2014)

Stichting BirdLife Europe gratefully acknowledges financial support from the European Commission. All content and opinions expressed on these pages are solely those of Stichting BirdLife Europe.