Pyceze cleared for salmonid egg disinfection in UK (31/10/01)
http://www.fishfarmer-magazine.com/
After more than two decades of searching for a replacement for malachite
green and other compounds used to control fungal infections in aquaculture,
an answer has now been found for the UK.
Pharmaceutical company, Novartis, undertook a research programme to identify
a suitable product, assisted in part by SQS, BTA, CEFAS and IFE under a LINK
aquaculture scheme.
Around 800 molecules were screened chosen for their antifungal activity, and
one designated Pyceze was the most promising candidate for further
development. Now, 10 years later, Pyceze has been licensed in the UK for the
treatment and control of fungal (Saprolegnia parasitica) infections of
salmonid eggs.
Novartis report that trials have demonstrated efficacy equivalent to
malachite green and a superior safety profile. In several safety trials
fry hatched from Pyceze-treated eggs have been significantly larger and
shown significantly fewer abnormalities than from malachite green-treated
eggs.
The active ingredient in Pyceze has been given an Annex 11 MRL (no MRL
required) for salmonid eggs, demonstrating the excellent human safety
profile.
Environmental safety studies have shown the rapid degradation of Pyceze and
both SEPA and the EA have established a PNEC. No adverse effects have been
found in non-target organisms.
Novartis have also announced their intention to seek UK and then European
licences for the use of Pyceze to treat and control fungal infections in
fish. Safety and efficacy studies have already been conducted with excellent
results, they say, and they are hopeful of licences being obtained in the
next year.
Pyceze is already approved for use in Norway, Faroe Islands, Sweden
and Finland and is under trial in Chile and North America.
(from
Aquaculture Info List, e-mail: dave.conley@sympatico.ca)