(1)

All pharmacologically active substances used in the Community in veterinary medicinal products intended for food-producing animals should be evaluated in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90.

(2)

The substance diclofenac is included in Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 for bovine species, as regards muscle, fat, liver and kidney tissues, excluding animals producing milk for human consumption. A request has been made to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use to consider whether the existing entry for diclofenac, for bovine species in that Annex should be extended to include maximum residue limits applicable to milk. Following examination of the request, it is considered appropriate to amend the existing entry for diclofenac in Annex I for bovine species to include the established maximum residue limits applicable to milk.

(3)

Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(4)

It is necessary to provide for an adequate period before this Regulation becomes applicable, in order to enable the Member States to make any necessary adjustments with respect to the existing authorisations to place the veterinary medicinal products concerned which have been granted in accordance with Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community Code relating to veterinary medicinal products (2) on the market.

(5)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products,