Vets advise ban on over the counter flea treatment for pets
Key takeaways
- Jennifer Mc Kiernan Political reporter Getty Images.
- Some environmental scientists have flagged two parasiticides found in most spot-on treatments to kill fleas and ticks on cats and dogs, fipronil and imidacloprid, as toxic to wildlife.
- The industry body representing flea treatment companies defended the use of preventive flea treatments as important for animal health.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Jennifer Mc Kiernan Political reporter Getty Images. A cat has a flea spot-on treatment applied to the back of its neck Over the counter flea treatments which are used by pet owners in the UK should be banned, a panel of vets has told a parliamentary inquiry.
Some environmental scientists have flagged two parasiticides found in most spot-on treatments to kill fleas and ticks on cats and dogs, fipronil and imidacloprid, as toxic to wildlife.
Giving evidence to a House of Lords committee on Wednesday, the vets said they wanted to see an end to year-round preventative treatments and a ban on the sale of spot-ons containing these chemicals by anyone other than vets.