The Government is to warn pet owners, vets and stores, about the dangers of some insecticides used as flea and tick treatments. Two particular types, Imidacloprid and Fipronil, which are used as ‘spot-on’ shoulder treatments are highlighted by DEFRA and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate following work locally and a campaign by NFDOG and partners including Wild New Forest, the Verderers and Forestry England. 

The local campaign launched two years ago. NFDOG wrote to all vets and pet stores asking them to recommend tablet treatments and prevention measures. Vets say they've seen growing awareness amongst owners as a result.  It was our main campaign in 2024, and we carried articles in newsletters and posters (for example on campsites) as well as supporting media stories.

The danger is that these treatments can wash off, particularly in still water such as ponds, where they kill native insect life - just as they're designed to kill ticks and fleas. 

Now the Government has launched a campaign to dissuade owners from using these treatments, while further research is carried out. It has published a ‘roadmap’ to identifying and then tackling risk. You can find the DEFRA roadmap here. 

“This is really welcome, not least as for two years we've been asking DEFRA for advice for owners - and they've largely stayed silent,” says David Bennett, Co-Chair of the New Forest Dog Owners Group. “But with partners in a special group including the Verderers, Wild New Forest, Forestry England and the National Park, we've kept the pressure on, while advising owners to take steps. It's now confirmed we were months if not years ahead of the game, but it's great that the Government is finally moving on this risk to our environment and wildlife, caused innocently through lack of guidance on dangerous chemicals.”