Emamectin benzoate (EMA) – Medicating Ingredient Brochure

Status: Veterinary prescription required for approved claims

Date of revision: July 2019

Table of approved species and claims
Approved livestock species Approved claim(s)
(abbreviated) Table Note 1		 Withdrawal time Name of approved brand(s)
Atlantic salmon
  1. Treatment of parasitic infestations of sea louse
 0 days Slice 0.2% Premix

Table Note

Table Note 1

In order to be compliant with the Feeds Regulations, the complete claim must appear on the medicated feed label.

Return to table note 1  referrer

Atlantic salmon

Table of approved claims and brands
Approved claims Name of approved brand(s) Drug concentration in DIN product
Claim 1 Slice 0.2% Premix Emamectin benzoate at
2 g/kg

Approved for use on complete fish feeds that are cylindrical pellets of varying length and thickness (e.g., 2.4 to 11 mm). To be applied to the exterior of the feed pellets post-pelleting.

Claim 1

As an aid in the treatment of parasitic infestations caused by all parasitic stages (chalimus I–IV, pre-adult I–II and adult) of the sea louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis), on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Level of medicating ingredient in a complete feed

1.25 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg (0.000125% to 0.0020%) of emamectin benzoate in the complete feed.

Additional information (not to appear on feed labels)

For feed manufacturers
  • 10 mg/kg (0.0010%) is the correct concentration level when the suggested feeding rate is 0.5% of fish biomass per day. If the feeding rate differs from 0.5% of the biomass per/day, then the concentration of emamectin benzoate in the feed must be adjusted accordingly (see Table 1).
  • Feed labels must state one specific drug level.

Directions for use in a complete feed

Administer to deliver 50 μg emamectin benzoate/kg fish biomass/day for 7 consecutive days.

Additional information (not to appear on feed labels)

For feed manufacturers
  • Feed labels must state one specific feeding rate (% biomass), one specific drug level and the biomass of the fish being medicated per unit of feed (metric tonne) per 7-day-treatment period.
  • Do not feed Slice 0.2% Premix undiluted
  • Slice 0.2% Premix applied post-pelleting by coating it onto the surface of a non-medicated pelleted fish feed as follows:
    1. A pre-weighed amount of feed pellets is transferred to a mixer.
    2. The pellets are dry-mixed and coated with a premeasured amount of Slice 0.2% Premix and are mixed for a period of up to 2 minutes.
    3. 0.5% to 1% fish oil or vegetable oil is added to the pellets and mixing is continued for up to an additional 5 minutes. This second mixing step is important and should not be skipped as the added oil will bind and seal the Slice premix onto the surface of the feed pellets.
    4. Once mixing is completed, the product can be bagged.
  • Careful dispersion of the premix on the feed pellets and longer mixing times should be considered when preparing medicated feeds using low concentrations of Slice 0.2% Premix.
Table 1: Usage rates of Slice 0.2% Premix (emamectin benzoate) to be used for the preparation of medicated salmon feeds
Feeding rate
(% of fish biomass)		 Concentration of emamectin benzoate in complete feed (ppm) Amount of Slice 0.2% Premix per unit of feed (kg/metric tonne) Biomass of fish treated per unit of medicated feed per 7-day-treatment period
(metric tonne/
7 days)
0.25 20 10 57.14
0.5 10 5 28.57
1.0 5 2.5 14.28
2.0 2.5 1.25 7.14
3.0 1.67 0.83 4.76
4.0 1.25 0.625 3.57
  • Wear mask and goggles while incorporating the premix into the feed.
  • Wear gloves and do not smoke or eat while handling the product or medicated feed.
  • Thoroughly clean all equipment used in the manufacturing and preparation of medicating feed.
  • Slice 0.2% Premix should be stored at a temperature between 2°C and 30°C.

Warning

  1. No pre-slaughter withdrawal period is required when this medicated feed is used according to the label directions.
  2. To ensure tissue residues do not exceed the maximum residue limit, Atlantic salmon should not be treated more than once in the 60 days prior to the first fish being harvested for human consumption.
  3. Avoid inhalation, oral exposure, and direct contact with skin or eyes. Operators mixing and handling emamectin benzoate should use protective clothing, impervious gloves, goggles, and an approved dust mask. Do not smoke or eat while handling medicated feed. Wash hands with soap and water after handling.
  4. Keep out of reach of children.

Caution

  1. Feed pellets medicated with emamectin benzoate are intended for use in Atlantic salmon only.
  2. The concurrent use of emamectin benzoate with other veterinary drugs has not been investigated.
  3. No data are available regarding the effects of emamectin benzoate on vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis in Atlantic salmon. Consequently, do not administer this product to brood stock.
  4. Do not dispose of this product where it may become accessible to fish not under treatment or to any other animal species, including wildlife.

Additional information to be added as a note to feed labels

Notes

  • Emamectin benzoate will remain stable in the finished feed for at least 3 months.

Accepted Compatibilities

Nil

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