26th September 2006

WWF welcomes Diclofenac banning

WWF welcomes the decision of the Ministry of Health to ban Diclofenac in veterinary use. This ban and its effective implementation will ensure a safe environment for  vulture species in Pakistan. The widespread use of Diclofenac in the livestock husbandry has led to more than 90% decline in three species of vultures in South Asia. Diclofenac is also  banned in India  and drug manufacturers in Nepal have already started manufacturing the recommended alternative drug, Meloxicam. 

WWF is very appreciative and thankful of the support of the Ministry of Environment and IUCN that has led to this milestone in vulture conservation. WWF – Pakistan had lobbied with the relevant agencies and had strongly raised this issue with the National Assembly’s Standing Committee of Environment. The Chairperson of the committee Ms. Farzeen Ahmad had taken a serious notice of this issue and directed the relevant authorities to ban the drug within six months. 

Two of the three critically endangered species of South Asian vultures are found in Pakistan. Vultures play a vital role in the food chain, they remove decaying carcasses from the environment and as they are resistant to disease causing germs of livestock, also help control  the spread of diseases.

For further information contact:

Uzma Khan
WWF – Pakistan
Tel:  0092 42 5862360, 111WWFPAK
Email: ukhan@wwf.org.pk