How your pet’s flea treatment could be damaging the environment

Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA cat being given flea treatment (Getty/iStock)A House of Lords committee has warned that millions of doses of pet flea and tick treatments are being unnecessarily applied each year, causing widespread environmental damage to rivers and aquatic systems. The report highlights that key chemicals in these treatments, such as fipronil and imidacloprid, are banned for agricultural use due to their impact on wildlife like bees. Peers are calling for a ban on the general sale of off-the-shelf and online pet parasite treatments, advocating for them to be distributed solely through vets, pharmacists, or appropriately trained individuals. The committee urged the government to establish a clear evidence base on the treatments' environmental and health impacts, and to review the relationship between the pet health industry and veterinary medicine regulators. Organisations including the British Veterinary Association and Greenpeace UK have supported the recommendations, emphasising the need for a risk-based approach and professional advice for pet owners. In fullPet flea treatments face calls for urgent ban over devastating risks to the environmentMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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