ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes, for the novice, methods used to assess risks associated with the nontarget effects of veterinary medicines in terrestrial environments. Within this broad framework, there are four specific objectives. First is to describe in general terms the functional and structural components of terrestrial ecosystems of key interest in the risk assessment process. Here, we offer suggestions on testing approaches that may vary depending upon the nature of land use. Second is to describe the existing regulatory and decision-making frameworks to assess the impacts of veterinary medicines on terrestrial ecosystems. The most widely adopted such framework was developed under the auspices of the VICH initiative (see Chapter 3), which is repeatedly referred to in the current chapter. Third is to identify the specific testing requirements for VICH phase II tiers A and B. The subsequent use of data from such tests in risk assessment is described in Chapter 3. Fourth is to identify future research needs to assess the potential risks of veterinary medicines on nontarget species in terrestrial ecosystems. Timely and accurate assessment of these potential risks benefits the regulatory authorities that are responsible for approving these products, and also the companies that market these products once approval has been granted.
