Government response to Environment and Climate Change Committee report 'Paws for concern: pets, parasites and pollution'

This is the government's response, published 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".

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