Sea lice treatment Ectosan Vet can be reused

Fish health business Benchmark has been granted permission to reuse the treatment water when deploying its sea lice pesticide Ectosan Vet.

NoMA, the Norwegian Medicines Agency, has granted a variation to its marketing authorisation which means that treatment water can be used for a second batch of fish, subject to water quality being maintained to the satisfaction of the prescribing veterinarian.

Benchmark said this will increase the efficiency of treatments. The company stated: “A producer will be able to treat a salmon farm more efficiently with a solution that delivers more than 99% efficacy, promotes animal welfare, reduces mortality and protects the environment – driving sustainability in the industry.”

Ectosan, which uses the neonicotinoid imidacloprid as a key ingredient, is being used in conjunction with Benchmark’s CleanTreat system, which is designed to ensure that all traces of the pesticide are removed before it is finally discharged into the sea.

The system is, so far, only authorised for use in Norway.

Trond Williksen,Benchmark CEO, commented: “We are very pleased to have been granted a variation to the Marketing Authorisation from the Norwegian Medicines Agency. This represents an important milestone for the Company and for the industry. Ectosan Vet and CleanTreat is a much needed solution for the industry which continues to show excellent results with efficacy above 99% as well as good operational efficiency. It is the first medicinal solution brought to the Norwegian market in over 10 years which addresses one of the biggest challenges in salmon production, while improving animal welfare, reducing mortality and protecting the environment.”