Pollution concerns spark VMD review of flea and tick treatments

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has launched a new call for evidence to tackle the detection of chemicals from flea and tick treatments in rivers and streams across the UK.

Recent research backed by the regulator of veterinary medicines concluded the use of certain flea and tick treatments by pet owners is leading to the presence of these chemicals in waterways.

The government body found the chemicals entered ecosystems through wastewater pathways and treated pets swimming in natural bodies of water.

Monitoring by the Environment Agency has shown concentrations in surface water that frequently exceeds toxicity thresholds for aquatic insects.

Residues have also been found in river sediments, fish tissue, wild bird nests and coastal waters, indicating multiple routes by which contamination takes place.

The VMD said the medicines in question are vital to protecting both animals and humans against fleas and ticks and the diseases they can transmit, but that the mounting evidence of environmental pollution is prompting the regulator to explore changing the way they are sold. A full ban is not on the table.

Its fresh call for evidence is looking for thoughts and opinions on the new data, and information on how any possible alterations to their supply routes might impact animal welfare, pet owners, businesses and access to these medicines.

The call for evidence follows commitments made last year under the cross-government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Roadmap, which stipulated crucial actions to address the levels of fipronil and imidacloprid ending up in UK watercourses while protecting animal welfare.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “This Government is committed to restoring nature and cleaning up our rivers. We are making progress on reducing the presence of forever chemicals in our waterways and this call for evidence is another important step.

“These treatments play a vital role in pet health and welfare, but it is right that we look at whether they should only be made available for sale via medical practitioners who can advise the public on their correct usage.”

VMD’s chief executive officer, Abigail Seager added: “We know that fipronil and imidacloprid play an important role in protecting pets and people from parasites and the diseases they can carry. However, these substances are entering our waterways and may be having wider environmental impacts.

“As part of the call for evidence we want to hear as many perspectives as possible to ensure future decisions help us maintain appropriate availability of veterinary medicines on the UK market, while protecting animal health and the environment.”

Professor Jason Weeks, Chair of the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group, said: “I am pleased to see the VMD taking forward a distribution category review for these medicines. This work is fully in line with the cross-government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment roadmap and is an important step in ensuring that environmental concerns are considered in a timely and evidence-led way. It is encouraging to see momentum building and real progress being made on this issue.”