A call for toxic pesticides in pet medicines to be banned - Pesticide Action Network UK
Pesticides used in veterinary medicines for dogs and cats are leaching into the natural environment. New analysis launched today reveals that five chemicals deemed to be too environmentally-damaging to be used as pesticides on crops are still being routinely included in pet medicines. Pointing out the inconsistency of this approach, researchers highlight evidence that these chemicals – used widely in tick, flea and worm treatments for cats and dogs – are polluting rivers across England, posing a risk to aquatic ecosystems.
The new analysis of Environment Agency data shows that three of the five insecticides – fipronil, permethrin and the controversial neonicotinoid imidacloprid – are present in English rivers in concentrations that exceed accepted safe limits for wildlife. The remaining two chemicals – dinotefuran and nitenpyram (both neonicotinoids) – are not present in Environment Agency testing data.
Twenty-four environmental and veterinary organisations – including The Progressive Veterinary Association, Veterinary Poisons Information Service, RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts – have written an open letter calling on the UK Government to ban these five toxic pesticides from being included in medicines for cats and dogs. The groups point out that there are more than three hundred alternative products available for pet owners, including many major brands, so a ban is highly unlikely to have any impact on animal welfare.
“It simply makes no sense to block these chemicals from being used on crops in order to protect the environment, while allowing them to be routinely applied by millions of pet owners every month. If we want to tackle chemical pollution, then we urgently need to close this loophole. Where alternatives exist, which they absolutely do in the case of pet medicines, chemicals known to be harming wildlife should be taken off the market.” Josie Cohen, Head of Policy and Campaigns, PAN UK
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Posted On: 01/11/2023