SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

Flectron Fly Ear Tags for Cattle 935 mg

Active substances

Each 11g tag contains:

Qualitative composition Quantitative composition mg

Cypermethrin 100% (cis:trans 50:50) 935.0

Excipients:

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Ear tag.

Heptagonal, amber, translucent tag with a pliable, dry, impregnated blotter type PVC resin

Cattle

For the control of flies on cattle.

Nuisance flies: Face fly (Musca autumnalis)

Head fly (Hydrotea irritans)

Biting flies: Horn fly (Haematobia irritans syn Lyperosia irritans)

Stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans)

Cattle biting fly (Haematobia stimulans syn Haematobosca stimulans).

While the five fly species listed above constitute the majority found on cattle in Western Europe, there are many other species both within and outside Europe against which tags may provide some protection. These include:

Warble (gad) fly (Hypoderma sp)

Horse fly (Tabanus bovinus)

Clegs (Haematopota pluvialis)

Screw-worm (Callitroga sp)

Blow fly (Lucilia sp)

Other species reported as forming a minor component of the fly population on cattle monitored during trials of tags include:

Sweat fly (Morellia simplex)

Black fly (Simulium reptans)

Lesser house fly (Fannia coniculars)

Flectron ear tags provide protection throughout the fly season. For maximum benefit they should therefore be applied at the beginning of the season before fly populations build up. For complete control the entire herd should be tagged.

One tag per animal is usually sufficient to achieve acceptable levels of fly control. However, where head and face fly attack is very severe, two tags may be necessary, one on each ear.

None

The best position for the tag is between the second and third rib of the ear.

Flectron ear tags are not recommended for fly control on cattle kept in feed lots or in animal housing.

For external use only.

None.

Rubber gloves should be worn when handling the fly tags. Do not smoke, eat or drink while handling the product. Do not burn the product as a harmful vapour can be produced. Wash hands and exposed skin before meals and after work. Keep away from food and drink including animal feeding stuffs.

This product belongs to the pyrethroid group. Possible undesirable effects can be irritation and allergic reactions on the skin.

The product can be safely used during pregnancy and lactation.

None known.

Flectron ear tags should be attached to the ear as follows:

Load stud and tag into the applicator. Always dip the loaded applicator into disinfectant solution before each application. Any skin compatible disinfectant may be used. This assists application, helps prevent spread of infection, aids hygiene and promotes healing. Restrain the animal, preferably in a crush, so that the ear can be reached easily. Position the point of the fixing stud in a central position between the blood vessels in an area of firm tissue halfway between the head and the tip of the ear. A position between the second and third rib of the ear is ideal. Thick sections of the ear should be avoided.

Depress the applicator until a click is heard. This means the tag and the fixing are firmly secured. After fixing, pull the stud and tag firmly apart as far as possible. A correctly fixed tag will hold firm. Do not push the tag and stud back together, as this can lead to compression of the ear tissue. The two should swing freely in the ear.

If a tag is lost during the season it is usually because of poor application. Flectron ear tags will remain flexible and active for a season.

Tags should be removed at the end of each fly season and before cattle go for slaughter. The neck of the stud behind the ear can be cut with round-nosed scissors. The new tag can be applied through the hole left by the previous one the following season.

Not applicable.

Meat – Zero days

Milk – Zero hours

Tags should be removed before cattle leave the farm for slaughter.

The formulation for Flectron is devised so that the active ingredient, cypermethrin, is slowly released onto the surface of the tag. As the exposed chemical is removed, more cypermethrin is released onto the surface. Thus the tag acts as a constant reservoir of insecticide throughout the season.

The active ingredient is lipophilic and is thus strongly bound to the sebum or natural oil present in the animal's coat and on the surface of the skin. Natural body movements - grooming and rubbing against other cattle - transfer the insecticide onto the hairs of the coat. This disperses the active ingredient all over the animal, effectively giving the whole body protection against flies within 24 to 48 hours. The binding of the cypermethrin onto the sebum ensures a high degree of rain fastness.

Cypermethrin acts principally as a contact insecticide. Flies therefore have to come into contact with the chemical to be killed so it is normal to see a few on a tagged animal.

Flies landing on a tagged animal will pick up the insecticide on their feet or bodies. They then leave quickly as the chemical acts as a repellent. The flies normally leave before they have had time to bite, feed or otherwise annoy the animal. As the chemical on the flies is absorbed they become hyperactive and die within a few minutes.

ATCVet Code: QP53AC08

LZ407 Stabiliser

Dioctyl adipate

Polyvinylchloride

None known.

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 4 years

Store in tightly closed original container.

Do not store above 25ºC.

Primary container consists of a low density polyethylene bag containing 10 ear tags and fastening studs, which are contained in a cardboard box. Each cardboard box contains two LDPE bags.

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Harmful to fish and aquatic life. Do not contaminate ponds, waterways and ditches with the tags or empty containers.

Zoetis UK Limited

5th Floor, 6 St. Andrew Street

London

EC4A 3AE

Vm: 42058/4069

Date: 26 May 1993

Date: July 2014

APPROVED 30/07/14