Potentially harmful for the environment
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP), part of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), scrutinised the feed additive earlier this month after it had been pointed out by countries like France and the Netherlands that ZnO could potentially harm the environment.
The committee concluded that ‘overall the benefit-risk balance for the product’ is negative, “as the benefits of zinc oxide for the prevention of diarrhoea in pigs do not outweigh the risks for the environment.”
ZnO and antibiotic-resistance
In addition, the use of ZnO is also said to be related to the increase of prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The committee estimated that ‘at the present time, that risk is not quantifiable’.
Currently, the CVMP’s conclusion is only a recommendation and will take some time to take effect. The European Commission will have to make a final decision and prior to doing so, many stakeholders will be heard.