asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider amending the proposed regulations for controlling certain animal health medicines in such a way as to exempt antibiotics and other oral medicines which are clearly used by farmers for the treatment of livestock which are not due for imminent slaughter; if he will consult with the Animal Remedies Committee and the Poisons Council again before any final decisions are made; if the effect of these proposed regulations will give sole responsibility to vets in administering these drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Animal Health Medicines.
509.
The proposed regulations controlling the availability and use of growth implants and antibiotics will provide that the administration of antibiotics may only be effected by or under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon, or in accordance with the terms of a prescription issued by a veterinary surgeon. While intramammary preparations for the treatment of mastitis will be exempt from this requirement, it is not possible to extend the list of exempted preparations to include other treatments. Strict controls on the sale and use of veterinary medicines are essential and the impending regulations are designed to bring our requirements in this respect in line with those in other Member States of the EC. Both the Animal Remedies Consultative Committee and the Poisons Council have already been consulted on the proposals.