Oxford News
Warning to dog and cat owners over flea and tick treatments
A new national awareness campaign has been launched to highlight the environmental impact of spot-on treatments, commonly used to protect cats and dogs, on water quality.
Two chemicals — fipronil and imidacloprid — have been detected in UK waterways at levels that could harm aquatic insects.
Abigail Seager, chief executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), said: “Flea and tick spot-ons are an important way to protect both human and animal health, but these substances are reaching our waterways.
“Today we are giving people the practical information they need to get the most out of their pet’s treatment while helping protect our waterways. We are proud to be working with partners across the veterinary and retail sectors to spread that message as widely as possible.”
Environmental monitoring by the Environment Agency has found that the chemicals, which are commonly used in flea and tick treatments, are entering rivers and streams.
Research from the VMD has identified wastewater and natural water sources as routes of exposure, including when treated pets swim in natural bodies of water.
The chemicals could harm mayflies, dragonflies, and other aquatic insects.
The campaign urges pet owners to follow three simple steps to help limit environmental impacts while continuing to protect animal health; Plan, Apply and Protect.
Plan
- If you need to wash your pet then do it in the days before applying the medicine, rather than afterwards.
- Pick a time to apply the medicine when you won’t be in close contact with your pet, for example at night or before you go to work.
Apply
- Read instructions or visit Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s Product Information Database to understand how to apply it right.
- Part your pet’s fur at the application site(s) until you can see the skin, apply directly to the skin not the fur.
Protect
- Don’t touch the application site until it is dry.
- Do not let your pet swim for at least 4 days after application. Try to limit swimming and washing of your pet in the weeks after application.
- Bin used pipettes – don’t rinse them down the sink or recycle.
- Ask your medicine supplier about returning unused or expired medicine.
- Put pet fur from treated animals in the bin, don’t leave it out for nesting birds
Gwyn Jones, chair of RUMA Companion Animal & Equine, said: “RUMA Companion Animal & Equine welcomes this campaign and its focus on helping pet owners use flea and tick spot-on treatments responsibly.
“We believe that promoting awareness of responsible use of parasiticides amongst pet owners is a real priority and are proud to support this important initiative.”
Professor Jason Weeks, chair of the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group, said: “This campaign is an important step in helping pet owners understand how small changes in how flea and tick spot-on treatments are used can make a real difference for our environment.
“It supports the government’s wider Pharmaceuticals in the Environment roadmap by promoting responsible use while ensuring these medicines continue to protect animal and human health.
“It is encouraging to see practical action being taken, alongside ongoing work to strengthen the evidence base and consider how these products are supplied and used.”
The campaign is part of the government’s wider work to address pharmaceuticals in the environment.
This is led by the cross-government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group, which published a roadmap of actions to address the presence of chemicals from flea and tick treatments in our waterways.
The VMD is also reviewing how medicines containing fipronil and imidacloprid are distributed, considering whether professional advice should be required at the point of sale.
The annual Varsity March, which covers 82 miles (132km) from Oxford to Cambridge, raises funds for The Gatehouse, an Oxford-based charity supporting people experiencing homelessness, as well as Jimmy’s in Cambridge.
This year’s walk began at the University Church in Oxford. Four walkers took part, including event organiser Stephanie and Dylan – a stuffed sheep mascot.
Stephanie, a member of the Cambridge University Rambling Club, was the only participant to complete the full distance, reaching St Mary’s Church in Cambridge after 36 hours of walking.
She said: “We all love walking and a challenge, which really sums up the Varsity March. Walking over 130 kilometres is a stretch even for experienced walkers.
“The added bonus is raising funds for two very important local charities which are doing a great job supporting homeless people in Oxford and Cambridge.”
The three other walkers also covered more than 100 miles combined. However, the final 30 miles fell to Stephanie alone. This marks her 20th Varsity March finish, though Dylan the sheep, who has completed 22, still holds the record.
The walkers’ determination has raised vital funds for The Gatehouse. The charity operates a drop-in community centre in central Oxford offering free services to homeless and vulnerably housed adults.
David Kay, fundraising manager at The Gatehouse, said: “Every year I’m impressed by the efforts of these individuals, and I’m still amazed that anybody manages to walk the whole distance.
“At the Gatehouse we’re extremely grateful for the funds that they raise to help cover the costs of the services we provide free of charge to our homeless guests. Costs have risen massively over recent years as we’ve increased both staff capacity and our range of services to meet growing demand.
“This year we need to raise over half a million pounds, a large proportion of which comes from individuals and organisations in the local community donating money and raising funds for us.”
The Gatehouse’s services include a café, a clothes store, shower provision, and bespoke individual casework and counselling support.
Supporters are encouraged to donate in recognition of the walkers’ efforts.
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/varsitymarch2026-gatehouse.
Posh Spice and David Beckham have submitted plans to build a new oak balcony at Maplewood Barn, in the 44th application they’ve made since renaming the home they bought a decade ago.
In that time David and Victoria Beckham have been embroiled in numerous rows with neighbours and accused of ‘drip-feeding’ development there.
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And the latest scheme has raised accusations of ‘hypocrisy’ after they had previously accused a neighbour wanting a balcony at their London home of spoiling their privacy.
Documents submitted on behalf of the Beckhams said the latest scheme involved replacing the “Crittall-style screen and doors” and installing an “oak balcony to the western elevation.”
They wrote: “The proposed replacement Crittall-style screen and doors, together with the new oak-framed balcony to the west elevation, have been carefully designed to consider the character and significance of Maplewood Barn and its listed setting.
“The works are to the modern west range constructed as part of the approved barn conversion and will not result in the loss of, or harm to, any historic fabric associated with the original Grade II listed buildings.
“The replacement glazing will match the existing design, proportions, and colour, ensuring visual continuity with the existing barns, while the oak balcony introduces a simple and sympathetic addition that reflects existing timber detailing within the development.
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“Given the small scale of the proposals, and their location within a later addition to the dwelling, it is considered that the works preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed buildings and their setting.”
No public comments have so far been submitted but it comes six years after the Beckhams fought a furious planning battle with neighbours at their Holland Park home in London over renovation plans – including their desire for a balcony.
In 2020 they eventually lost the battle to stop the neighbour drastically updating a posh property close to their £31million townhouse.
The celebrity couple had expressed concerns that the neighbour’s architect was creating a whole new patio area including a balcony on the first floor, which may have overlooked their back garden.
Amended plans were approved when a council officer’s report dismissed any privacy fears.
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At the time they stated: “There are no concerns with the impact of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers in terms of light, sense of enclosure, noise or privacy.”
The couple have also been involved in multiple rows over work at their Grade-II listed country house at Maplewood Barn, near Great Tew in Oxfordshire
Since buying the three listed barns for £6,150,000 in 2016, they have added a new driveway and gates, an additional garage outbuilding, tennis court, treehouse, security hut, extension to the garage outbuilding and a landscaped pond.
This Oxford Mail archive gallery of pictures show shots mostly taken by staff photographer Jon Lewis in the summer of 2006.
From the city to the towns and villages of the county, this collection shows a range of summer fun from two decades ago.
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End-of-term school events feature in this collection, with school plays and sports days both featured.
Pictures of friendly World Cup rivalry between opposing team’s fans show not much has changed in some respects over the past 20 years.
Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to be transported back to June 2006.
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