Pets: Disease Control

(asked on 27th November 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will make it a mandatory requirement for dog and cat flea treatments only to be approved for use if they have passed an environmental damage test.


Answered by
Lord Benyon Portrait
Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 6th December 2023

Exposure to fleas and ticks may give rise to parasitic disease in pets and present zoonotic risks to humans, as well as causing distress and discomfort. Topical flea treatments form an important part of effective parasite control to protect both human and animal health. Therefore, it is essential to take a balanced approach in terms of the benefits of these treatments and their potential environmental impact when considering this issue.

Nevertheless, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) recognises the concerns raised by stakeholders with regard to the potential contribution of flea and tick treatments for companion animals to the levels of certain chemicals of concern currently being detected in UK surface waters, such as fipronil and imidacloprid.

The VMD is reviewing the environmental risk assessment process for companion animal flea and tick treatments, and this is being treated as a priority.

Reticulating Splines