1st Report - Paws for concern: pets, parasites and pollution
- HC No.
- Not recorded
- Published
- 5 Aug 2026
- Items
- 0
- Government response
- Government response published 5 October 2026 (deadline 5 October 2026). Read the government's response ↗
Select committee: Environment and Climate Change Committee
Pet Parasite Medication
Open
Opened 24 Apr 2026
Environment and Climate Change Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
This short inquiry will consider pet parasite medication (PPM), with a focus on treatments containing pesticides of concern such as fipronil and imidacloprid. The inquiry 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.
Where it stands
The inquiry is open, opened 24 April 2026.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently 1st Report - Paws for concern: pets, parasites and pollution on 5 August 2026.
The government's response
Published 5 October 2026. The deadline was 5 October 2026.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government welcomes the Committee's report, agrees with the need to strengthen understanding of environmental risks and improve stewardship, and says any interventions must be "practical, proportionate and supported by evidence".
- On Phase II environmental risk assessments, it agrees and supports more comprehensive approaches "as soon as is scientifically and practically feasible", but notes there is currently "no agreed Phase II environmental risk assessment methodology".
- On restricting access to advice-based supply channels, the response is "Pending". A VMD review of distribution categories for fipronil and imidacloprid products is under way, with a summary of Call for Evidence responses "expected to be published in late October 2026".
- It disagrees with extending the bathing restriction from four days to 28 days, saying this is not "an appropriate or proportionate regulatory response at this time", and would retain existing advice alongside the "Be Spot On Aware" campaign.
- On governance, it agrees with the recommendation, states it has reviewed the arrangements between the VMD, industry and VICH, and is "satisfied" there is "no evidence of regulatory capture or undue influence".
Reports
All reportsEvidence
- 4 oral evidence sessionsLatest 23 June 2026
- 13 witnesses
Recent activity
- Government response to Environment and Climate Change Committee report 'Paws for concern: pets, parasites and pollution'5 October 2026, Report published
- 1st Report - Paws for concern: pets, parasites and pollution5 August 2026, Report published
- Oral evidence session23 June 2026, Oral evidence
Reports
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Abigail Seager · Defra,
Dr Robert Bradburne · Environment Agency,
Francine Fernandez · Veterinary Medicines Directorate,
The Baroness Hayman of Ullock · Defra
|
View ↗ |
| 17 Jun 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Dr Donal Murphy · National Office of Animal Health (NOAH),
Dr Ian Wright · European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP),
Dr Jacqui Skelly MRCVS · Elanco
|
View ↗ |
| 10 Jun 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux · British Veterinary Association (BVA),
Dr Martin Whitehead · Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital,
Dr Rose Perkins · Grantham Institute
|
View ↗ |
| 3 Jun 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Matthew Shardlow,
Professor Alistair Boxall · University of York,
Professor Guy Woodward · Imperial College London
|
View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Seager · Chief Executive Officer, Veterinary Medicines Directorate | Defra | 1 |
| Dr Donal Murphy · Deputy CEO and Head of International and Regulatory Affairs | National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) | 1 |
| Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux · Senior Vice President | British Veterinary Association (BVA) | 1 |
| Dr Ian Wright · Chairman and Director | European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) | 1 |
| Dr Jacqui Skelly MRCVS · Head of Veterinary Technical Services | Elanco | 1 |
| Dr Martin Whitehead · Senior Veterinary Surgeon | Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital | 1 |
| Dr Robert Bradburne · Chief Scientist | Environment Agency | 1 |
| Dr Rose Perkins · Veterinary Surgeon and Visiting Fellow | Grantham Institute | 1 |
| Francine Fernandez · Senior Environmental Safety Assessor, Pharmaceuticals Team | Veterinary Medicines Directorate | 1 |
| Matthew Shardlow | Not recorded | 1 |
| Professor Alistair Boxall · Professor in Environmental Science | University of York | 1 |
| Professor Guy Woodward · Professor of Ecology | Imperial College London | 1 |
| The Baroness Hayman of Ullock · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State | Defra | 1 |