Vulture conservation in India boosted by additional veterinary drug ban

Key to this ban are the tireless efforts of the SAVE Partnership, including BirdLife International, Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS – BirdLife in India), Bird Conservation Nepal (BirdLife in Nepal), NatureLife Cambodia (BirdLife in Cambodia) and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). Together, the partnership has been working to conserve vultures in Asia for more than 20 years. The ban on Nimesulide use relied on research by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) with BHNS, the Salim Ali Centre of Ornithology, Pretoria University and the RSPB.

The Drug Controller General of India announced the national ban, following the recommendation of the country’s Drugs Technical Advisory Board. This ban follows similar bans of the use of other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are linked to vulture deaths, including Diclofenac, Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen. These veterinary medicines are often used to treat cattle, where they become toxic to the vultures that then feed on carcasses.

SAVE Chair, Jemima Parry-Jones celebrated the news, commenting: “This latest ban of Nimesulide has been a very eagerly awaited step since the DTAB recommendation for this a year ago, and one which further demonstrates the commitment of the Indian Government to vulture conservation. If the cause of a species’ decline is removed then given the chance, they will recover. With this ban, India has done a great job towards that.”

Martin Harper, BirdLife International CEO, said “I am so encouraged by this announcement and the proof it provides that when our Partnership unites behind a critical action, positive results ensue. We must now push forward together on ensuring all veterinary drugs are tested for their safety BEFORE being licensed for veterinary use as recommended by the UN Convention of Migratory Species (CMS). Hats off to all who worked so successfully to bring this ban to fruition.”