Written question asked by Lord Teverson (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 February 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Thursday, 5 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Water: Insecticides

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the steps being taken to reduce the current levels of fipronil and imidacloprid in rivers will result in meeting their mandated obligation to achieve the Water Frameworks Directive’s requirement for good ecological and chemical status by 2027.

Answer: The Pharmaceuticals in the Environment group, supported by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, has put in place a roadmap for reducing exposure of these substances to water courses, with workstreams looking at several complementary activities. These include educating vets and the pet-owning public, investing in research to plug scientific evidence gaps, including routes to the environment and pet owner behavioural change, and reviewing the guidance for environmental risk assessments, which will all contribute to the desired aim.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL14037
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Water: Insecticides
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Environment protection Pollution Water Rivers Insecticides
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk