Lords Urge Government to Restrict Pet Flea Treatments Over River Pollution

The House of Lords environment committee said spot-on treatments, currently available in supermarkets and online, should only be sold by vets, pharmacists, and other qualified professionals. The committee heard that high volumes of fipronil and imidacloprid, common active ingredients, have been found in UK streams and rivers, killing aquatic life, and that blanket monthly use is not supported by robust scientific evidence. Baroness Shas Sheehan, who chairs the committee, said overuse was "the equivalent of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

The British Veterinary Association backed the move, but the National Office of Animal Health said parasite control products played a "vital role" in preventing disease. The government said it was assessing the availability of the treatments to ensure "correct usage by owners.