UK considers limiting access to flea and tick products over environmental impact

New government-backed research has prompted a call for evidence on the use of flea and tick treatments in the UK after finding that chemicals from such products have been contaminating local waterways.

It also found concentrations in surface water that frequently exceed toxicity thresholds for aquatic insects. In addition, residue has been detected in river sediments, fish tissue, wild bird nests and coastal waters, pointing to multiple pathways through which contamination can spread.

The study from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), an executive agency of the British Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), notes that contamination can occur when treated pets swim in natural bodies of water.

The agency has launched a new call for evidence on the presence of chemicals from flea and tick treatments in rivers and streams across the UK. The consultation, open until June, invites views on environmental contamination data as well as feedback on how potential changes to supply routes could impact animal welfare, pet owners, businesses and access to these medicines.

Sources of contamination

The contaminants include fipronil and imidacloprid, 2 of the most commonly used ectoparasiticides used in pets, chemical agents used to treat and prevent infestations of parasites living on the body surface. 

Beyond the UK, the insecticide fipronil has been detected in Swiss waterways at concentrations that are critical for aquatic life, with flea and tick treatments identified as the most likely source of contamination, according to the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag).

In addition to pets bathing in natural waters, contamination from fipronil has also been linked to domestic wastewater, for example, through washing hands after application, bathing treated animals or cleaning contaminated textiles.

A potential product ban?

While these medications are important in protecting both animal and human health against fleas, ticks and the diseases they may carry, VMD is considering changes to how the products are sold.

Under the proposal, these medicines would only be available through veterinarians, pharmacists or suitably qualified persons (SQPs), ensuring that trained professionals can provide point-of-sale advice to pet owners on correct use and disposal.

The government clarifies that while it is considering a ban on over-the-counter (OTC) flea and tick treatments, it is not proposing a full ban on the sale of such products.

“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,” says VMD’s Chief Executive Officer, Abigail Seager.

Industry reaction

Pet food manufacturers have shown concern. German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, which manufactures flea and tick treatments distributed across the UK, told GlobalPETS that any changes to regulatory policy should be science-based and proportionate to preserve the proven benefits of parasite prevention for both animal and human health.

“We are aware of the questions around the environmental risk of parasiticides in pets, including findings related to waterways, and we welcome studies that provide science-based evidence,” the company says. “Within the currently available research on the effects of pet parasiticides on the environment, the source of residues has not been comprehensively identified.”

For animal health player Elanco, concerns about both the levels and the impact of these pesticide traces in water may be overstated.

The company mentions a recent review by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, which suggests there has been a significant improvement in freshwater invertebrate biodiversity across all types of English rivers over the past 30 years, despite these rivers being considered highly exposed to human wastewater by international standards.

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) is currently gathering member feedback in response to the call for evidence. 

“The VMD review is focused on environmental impact, but any changes to how these products are supplied could have wider implications, for example: how easily pet owners can access effective treatments, where they go for advice and the knock-on effect on businesses working directly with pets,” PIF says.

Owners’ perceptions

A 2025 survey by Yummypets, powered by LOOP, found that dog and cat owners in the UK show the highest confidence in pest protection products for their pets, at 90% and 92%, respectively. These figures are higher compared to the global average of 88%.

Additionally, 77% of cat owners in the UK say it is easy to administer pest protection products. Among those who report difficulty, the share is below 5% among dog owners and 11% among cat owners, reflecting the relative ease of using OTC preventives.

The survey included 2,926 pet owners across 6 countries: Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, the UK and the US.