Guide to using these tables
In the withdrawal period tables, where a product is indicated for use in a species, then the withdrawal period is given. Where a dash (-) is used it means that there is no withdrawal period for use in this species. It may still be possible to use this product (in the species against which the dash is placed) under the 'cascade'. When using the prescribing cascade in a food producing animal, the veterinary surgeon responsible may use the cascade as long as;
In GB:
1. All substances contained in the medicine must be substances which:
•Have a Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), but not necessarily in the species for which it is intended to be used, or;
•Do not fall within the scope of assimilated Regulation (EC) No. 470/2009
2. The vet responsible for prescribing the medicine has specified on appropriate withdrawal period.
In NI:
1. All substances contained in the medicine have an MRL, but not necessarily in the species for which it is intended to be used.
2. The vet responsible for prescribing the medicine has specified on appropriate withdrawal period.
If a veterinary surgeon prescribes use of a product in a species for which it is not indicated then the veterinary surgeon must set an appropriate withdrawal period.
The withdrawal period set by the veterinary surgeon should not be less than:
In GB:
Eggs
•The longest withdrawal period provided in the SPC for any species multiplied by a factor of 1.5.
•14 days, if the product is not authorised for animals producing eggs for human consumption.
Milk
•The longest withdrawal period provided in the SPC for any species multiplied by a factor of 1.5.
•7 days, if the product is not authorised for animals producing milk for human consumption.
•1 day, if the product has a zero-hour withdrawal period.
Meat from poultry and mammals (including fat and offal)
•The longest withdrawal period provided in the SPC for meat and offal, multiplied by a factor of 1.5.
•28 days, if the product is not authorised for food-producing animals.
•1 day, if the product has a zero-day withdrawal period.
Meat from fish
•The longest withdrawal period for any of the aquatic species in the SPC multiplied by a factor of 1.5 and expressed as degree-days.
•If the product is authorised for food-producing terrestrial animal species, the longest withdrawal period for any of the food producing animal species in the SPC multiplied by a factor of 50 and expressed as degree-days.
•25 degree-days, if the highest withdrawal period for any animal species is zero.
In NI:
Eggs
•The longest withdrawal period provided in the SPC for any species multiplied by a factor of 1.5.
•10 days, if the product is not authorised for animals producing eggs for human consumption.
Milk
•The longest withdrawal period provided int he SPC for any species multiplied by a factor of 1.5.
•7 days, if the product is not authorised for animals producing milk for human consumption.
•1 day, if the product has a zero-hour withdrawal period.
Meat from poultry and mammals (including fat and offal)
•The longest withdrawal period provided in the SPC for meat and offal, multiplied by a factor of 1.5.
•28 days, if the product is not authorised for food-producing animals.
•1 day, if the product has a zero-day withdrawal period.
Meat from fish
•The longest withdrawal period for any of the aquatic species in the SPC multiplied by a factor of 1.5 and expressed as degree-days.
•If the product is authorised for food-producing terrestrial animal species, the longest withdrawal period for any of the food-producing animal species in the SPC multiplied by a factor of 50 and expressed as degree-days.
•25 degree-days, if the highest withdrawal period for any animal species is zero.
The information in these tables is the best information from the participating companies about their products.
Prescribers of medicines to food producing animals are advised to access further information on the indications and contra indications for product use under the cascade in the 'notes' column, in the product data sheet or SPC or by contacting the Marketing Authorisation Holder.
The marketing authorisation holder must always be the absolute reference point for any information on a specific product. More information on the use of the cascade in food producing animals can be accessed in the VMD's Veterinary Medicines Guidance Note 'The Cascade: Prescribing Unauthorised Medicines', available at: The cascade: prescribing unauthorised medicines - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Specific Considerations for Milk
Milk should be excluded from the bulk sold if a cow is in poor health, especially if suffering from udder or reproductive tract disease, is being fed or treated with any substance known to make the milk unsuitable for human consumption, or has a very low yield (less than 2 litres per day).
Where available, milk withdrawal periods for sheep and goats are stated under ‘‘Notes’’ in the right-hand column of the table.
Where intramammaries and antibiotics administered by other routes are used outside the data sheet recommendations, the prescribing veterinary surgeon should set an appropriate withdrawal period, for example a withdrawal period that might be considered would not be less than the 7 days for milk or 28 days for meat in line with the requirements of the prescribing cascade.
If the calculation of the withdrawal period results in a milk withdrawal period not divisible by 12, the withdrawal period must be rounded up to the nearest multiple of 12 hours.
Examples of scenarios where such an approach may need to be considered would include the following:
•Where the number of tubes is increased, or
•Where the treatment period is increased, or
•Where the interdose interval is shortened, or
•Where the treatment is changed to another product,
Or there is simultaneous administration of other antimicrobials by this or other routes then the veterinary surgeon should set a withdrawal period not less than the standard 7 days for milk or 28 days for meat in line with the requirements of the prescribing cascade.
Enquiries re withdrawal periods and the cascade.
If prescribing veterinary surgeons have any queries regarding cascade use of a product and the calculation of withdrawal period, they are encouraged to contact the technical department of the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH).