The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee begins its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) today (June 3).
The short inquiry will focus on treatments containing pesticides of concern such as fipronil and imidacloprid and will seek to understand distribution pathways, and the impact of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and pet owners of alternative medications or application practices.
The investigation has been triggered by concerns raised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the Environment Agency about the presence of these chemicals in British watercourses, potentially damaging the delicate ecosystems. The VMD has proposed changing the status of certain pet parasite treatments from a general licence to restricting them for sale only through vets, pharmacists, or Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) in stores.
Giving evidence at the opening hearing will be Professor Alistair Boxhall, professor in environmental science at the University of York; Professor Guy Woodward,
professor of ecology at Imperial College London; and ecological consultant Matthew Shardlow.
The committee is expected to ask questions regarding the ecological impact of PPMs, pathways for pollution to the environment, pollution monitoring, evidence gaps and risk assessments.
