[Animal feed additives, veterinary drugs and the environment]

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science
• Veterinary Pharmacology

Context:

• Modern animal production relies heavily on feed additives and veterinary drugs.
• These compounds are excreted by animals, entering the environment via feces and urine.
• Residues can persist in soil and surface water in their original or metabolized forms.

Purpose:

• To review the environmental pollution caused by feed additive and veterinary drug residues.
• To outline the problems arising from this environmental contamination.
• To discuss regulatory requirements for assessing the environmental impact of these substances.

Summary:

• Feed additives and veterinary drugs are excreted by animals, leading to environmental contamination of soil and water with residues and metabolites.
• The paper reviews the extent of this pollution, the associated environmental and health issues, and regulatory demands for data collection.
• Examples of relevant studies are presented to illustrate the scope of research in this area.

Impact:

• Highlights the environmental risks associated with widespread use of veterinary pharmaceuticals and feed additives.
• Informs regulatory bodies and researchers about the need for comprehensive environmental impact assessments.
• Provides a basis for developing strategies to mitigate the environmental burden of animal production inputs.