Pet Ectoparasiticides: A multidisciplinary investigation into environmental, ani
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs · awarded 27 November 2025
Who
| Buyer | Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs London |
|---|---|
| Supplier |
University of Plymouth |
| Category | services |
| Classification | Research and development consultancy services CPV 73200000 |
| Notice published | 12 December 2025 |
What it is for
Pet Ectoparasiticides: A multidisciplinary investigation into environmental, animal and public health and deep dive into use practices. Purpose and Rationale Recent research into the environmental impact of topical flea and tick treatments has focused on environmental monitoring and potential exposure pathways. Perkins and Goulson (2023) analysed Environment Agency (EA) monitoring data from 2016 to 2018 and found that fipronil exceeded chronic toxicity thresholds for aquatic invertebrates at 80% of sites, while imidacloprid exceeded these limits at 35% of sites. They also observed higher concentrations of both substances near wastewater treatment works, suggesting domestic use as a likely source. More recent discussions with the EA indicate that concentrations have remained relatively stable since 2018. Subsequent studies have identified key exposure routes for spot-on treatments, including down-the-drain emissions and dog swimming (Perkins et al., 2024; Yoder et al., 2024; Perkins et al., 2025). Additionally, fipronil and imidacloprid have recently been detected in the nests of songbirds, raising further concerns about environmental contamination (Tassin de Montaigu et al., 2025). While veterinary medicines may not be the sole source, this body of research suggests they are contributing to detectable levels of these substances in aquatic environments and potentially the wider ecosystem.
Read the original award notice on Contracts Finder →
Other contracts from this buyer
526 awards on file, worth £1.1bn.
| Awarded | What for | Buyer | Supplier | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Mar 2025 | Core Infrastructure - Future End User Services | Department for Environment, Food & Rural… | Atos IT Services UK Ltd | £150.6m |
| 21 May 2026 | Application Development, Maintenance and Support (ADMS) Plus - Kainos | Department for Environment, Food & Rural… | Kainos Software Limited | £150.0m |
| 21 May 2026 | Application Development, Maintenance and Support (ADMS) Plus - i10 | Department for Environment, Food & Rural… | i10 | £150.0m |
| 27 Jan 2025 | Grant Administration Services | Department for Environment, Food & Rural… | Ernst & Young LLP | £60.0m |
| 4 Dec 2024 | Defra Group Connectivity Services | Department for Environment, Food & Rural… | Vodafone UK Ltd | £42.6m |
Everything Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has awarded →
Other contracts won by this supplier
19 awards on file, worth £62.6m.
| Awarded | What for | Buyer | Supplier | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Apr 2026 | DN772326 - Framework for Applied Science Technology and Engineering Requirements | Met Office | Advai-Ltd +42 | £57.0m |
| 4 Mar 2025 | Advanced Practice ePortfolio | NHS England | University Of The West Of England +14 | £3.9m |
| 1 Oct 2021 | Professional and Generic Skills Education and Training for Doctors - HEE South W | Health Education England | University of Plymouth | £645k |
| 27 Nov 2025 | Pet Ectoparasiticides: A multidisciplinary investigation into environmental, ani | Department for Environment, Food & Rural… | University of Plymouth | £162k |
| 1 Aug 2025 | Green Skills Bootcamps for Wave 6 (Lot 3 - Skills Bootcamps)England | Cornwall Council | Cornwall College +1 | £131k |