Assessment and validation of the Intermediate Dynamic Model for Metal with specific reference to the use of zinc as a veterinary medicine

Tender description

Assessment and validation of the Intermediate Dynamic Model for Metal with specific reference to the use of zinc as a veterinary medicine. 1. Develop exposure scenarios to represent the range of zinc bioavailability conditions in the UK. These will be developed specifically to represent, as far as possible, UK pig farming conditions where zinc veterinary medicines are likely to be used. 2. Utilise the IDMM to predict the distribution of zinc from applied manures, for the developed exposure scenarios in Objective 1, over a specified time frame of upto five years and several time periods of perhaps 10 and 20 years. 3. Predict the local risk from zinc exposures at appropriate time points (up to five years and then up to when a risk is identified) for each environmental compartment detailed from the exposure scenarios developed in Objectives 1 and 2, taking account of zinc bioavailability. 4. Perform a sensitivity analysis to identify the likely influence of any changes, in terms of the magnitude and direction, of any of the key parameters (e.g. soil organic matter content, precipitation) in th eIDMM to assist in developing a focus for future validation and monitoring priorities. 5. Pseudo validate as many aspects of the IDMM as possible, utilising specific UK measured data. This is likely to involve validating portions of the IDMM against available data as opposed to the full model. Full validation is likely to be beyond the scope of this screening study, but key gaps will be identified and recommendations of how they may be filled will be made. 6. A technical summary of the evidence-base upon which the IDMM is based. 7. Develop an interpretive guide, in the form of a factsheet to the IDMM providing transparency and allowing challenge.