MORE needs to be done to protect waterways from the ‘catastrophic’ effects of veterinary products used by people to treat their pets for fleas and ticks, West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour told Parliament.

Mrs Gilmour, who represents the Tiverton and Minehead constituency, spoke on the damaging effects of neonicotinoids such as fipronil and imidacloprid, both of which were commonly found in flea and tick treatments.

The adjournment debate was secured by Mrs Gilmour after hearing concern from a constituent who highlighted how the toxic chemical ingredients in animal flea treatments had potential to severely damage wildlife and the environment.

Flea treatment products containing fipronil and imidacloprid are seen as a highly convenient and effective way of dealing with the problems.

In the UK, Imperial College London claims fipronil is an ingredient in 396 different pet anti-flea and tick treatments, with imidacloprid authorised in 138 veterinary products.

However, the convenience came at a cost to UK waterways, as well as their associated ecosystems.

Mrs Gilmour said the college’s research showed one monthly flea treatment for a large dog contained enough imidacloprid to kill 25 million bees.

Moreover, one drop of fipronil can kill up to 30,000 bees, as well as causing neurological damage to tens of thousands more.

Mrs Gilmour said the damage from such chemicals was already being felt widely with Environment Agency river sampling data from 20 different waterways between 2016 and 2018 showing fipronil residue in 98 per cent of samples, and traces of imidacloprid in 66 per cent of samples.

Mrs Gilmour highlighted how chemicals made their way into waterways through animal bathing, direct transfer from pet hair and skin, dissemination during rainy walks, contamination through excretion, and the washing of pet bedding.

Water and flooding Minister Emma Hardy said: “The Government are committed to understanding the impacts of veterinary medicines entering our environment.

“The quality of our water is, of course, essential for supporting ecosystems, providing clean drinking water and producing our food.”

After the session, Mrs Gilmour said it had been a privilege to call her first adjournment debate, especially on such an important topic.

Mrs Gilmour said: “Cleaning up our waterways is a key mission of my party, and properly regulating the use of fipronil and imidacloprid, as well as other neonicotinoids, is part of that agenda.

“The damage these products can do is catastrophic to our natural world, and we should be doing more to make sure that these products are not getting into our waterways.

“The Liberal Democrats continue to be the most consistent party in standing up for water quality, and for our environment, and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to share the concerning statistics around the impact of these chemicals in our waterways.

“It is also clear that the Government needs to look again at Ofwat’s role and seriously consider replacing it with a new, independent clean water authority.

“It is totally wrong that UK water companies continue to raise prices for the consumer, and yet fail us time and time again.”