On Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, will hold a hearing to examine the findings of the Subcommittee’s report entitled “Seresto
Flea and Tick Collars: Examining Why a Product Linked to More than 2,500 Pet Deaths Remains on the Market”, revealing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) knew of the dangers associated with the Seresto flea and tick collar for several years, but failed to take action to protect pets and their owners.
The Seresto flea and tick collar received EPA approval in 2012 and was introduced to the market in 2013. Since then, Bayer—the original brand owner of the collar—and Elanco—which purchased the product in 2020—have sold nearly 34 million collars. Pet owners embraced the convenience of the product, which provides 8 months of flea and tick protection for dogs and cats for under $70, and which is widely sold by pet specialty stores, online pet pharmacies, and large online retailers.
The Subcommittee launched its investigation into the collars in March 2021, following the publication of an investigative report which revealed that, as of June 2020, there had been more than 75,000 incidents and approximately 1,700 pet deaths linked to the Seresto collar. Since then, the reported numbers have increased to more than 98,000 incidents and 2,500 pet deaths.
The hearing will examine the EPA’s failure to regulate the Seresto collar as well as Elanco’s refusal to take action to protect pets and their owners from the collar’s harm.
| WHAT:
| Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy hearing entitled “Seresto
Flea and Tick Collars: Examining Why a Product Linked to More than 2,500 Pet Deaths Remains on the Market”
|
| WHEN: | Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET
|
| WHO:
| Panel I
Faye Hemsley & Omarion Hemsley Owners of Deceased Pet Thomas Maiorino Owner of Deceased Pet Panel II Jeffrey Simmons President and Chief Executive Officer Elanco Animal Health Nathan Donley, PhD Environmental Health Science Director Center for Biological Diversity Additional witnesses may be announced |
| WATCH: | A livestream will be available on YouTube and the Committee on Oversight and Reform website. |
MEDIA:
Seating in the hearing room is limited and as a result, credentialed media must RSVP to the Oversight Committee Democrats Press Office at oversightpress@mail.house.gov no later than 10 a.m. ET on June 15, 2022.
Original source can be found here.
