RP8 Ecotoxicology of Agrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals
Thursday, 17 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(ROE-1117-804759) Standardisation of test methods with dung organisms: The work of DOTTS.

Roembke, J.¹, Barrett, K.², ¹ ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, Floersheim, Germany² Huntingdon Life Sciences, Huntingdon, United Kingdom

ABSTRACT- According to testing requirements for veterinary medicines as agreed-on by VICH initiative (International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Products) the potential effects of these pharmaceuticals on dung organisms has to be assessed. However, there are currently no internationally recognised guidelines for laboratory testing for effects of veterinary medicines on dung flies and dung beetles. Therefore, the Dung Organism Toxicity Testing Standardisation (DOTTS) Group was founded in 2002. Currently it has more than 50 members from different institutions in 17 countries. Up to now, draft guidelines for the testing of the flies Scathophaga stercoraria and Musca autumnalis have been developed. Currently, these methods are ring-tested by members of the DOTTS group using Ivermectin as a model substance. In addition, two further draft guidelines, covering the beetle species Onthophagus taurus and Aphodius constans are under preparation. According to the current work programme, ring-testing with these species will start in 2006. The final aim of this work is the preparation of test guidelines according to OECD format. In this presentation the work of DOTTS as well as first results of the practical work are presented. In addition, an overview of the activities of this advisory group, which is affiliated to SETAC, is given, highlighting the importance of voluntary work for the further progress on the scientific as well as the applied level of ecotoxicology.

Key words: veterinary drugs, registration, laboratory tests, flies and beetles