The responsible use of parasiticides in small animals will be a key topic at this year’s BVA Live conference, held at the NEC in Birmingham in June.
New data from the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey reveals that 98% of companion animal vets are concerned about the environmental impact of parasiticide treatments.
This growing concern will be addressed in an Interactive Zone session titled “Responsible or reckless? Parasiticide prescribing in vet care,” led by BVA senior vice-president Anna Judson and veterinary surgeon Alice Watson. The session is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, 13 June, at stand C30.
A related talk, “Responsible prescribing of parasiticides: How and why dog and cat parasite prevention needs to change,” will be held at 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, 12 June, in Clinical Theater Two.
The survey also revealed that 73% of vets in clinical practice believe their clients are not particularly concerned about the issue of parasiticide resistance.
To help address the problem, 11% of vets said better public education is key, while another 11% suggested making all parasiticides available by prescription only to better control their use.
BVA president Elizabeth Mullineaux, who will also speak at the Interactive Zone, highlighted the importance of these discussions. “We know many veterinary professionals are concerned about parasiticide resistance, their impact on the environment and how to use them responsibly,” she said.
“This session is a fantastic opportunity to share your views on this issue, what you see in practice, and what action is needed to ensure they are used responsibly to minimize any negative impact.”
The topic has gained attention in recent months. Industry body NOAH launched a campaign titled “Use it right, treat them right” to promote careful use of these medications. Additionally, a recent study of southern England’s coastal waters found that a commonly used insecticide posed the highest ecological risk among compounds detected.
Other Interactive Zone sessions at the two-day event will explore topics such as euthanasia, legislative reform, and the Competition and Markets Authority’s review of the veterinary sector.
The full BVA Live 2025 schedule, registration, and more details are available on the event’s official website.
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