Billy Timmins
Question:1 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to remove some veterinary products from co-operatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9263/03]
Priority Questions. - Agricultural Medicines.
Question No. 1 is similar to Questions Nos. 6 and 7. I presume they cannot be included.
No. Question No. 1 must be taken on its own.
I am aware of certain concerns which have been expressed about the designation of some medicines in the "prescription only" or "prescription only" exempt categories. The latter means that the product may be purchased from a pharmacy without veterinary prescription, while veterinarians may also supply the products in certain circumstances.
The position on vaccines is that it was necessary to review licences for products on the market because the existing licences covering such products were based on outdated legislation. The Irish Medicines Board is charged with undertaking the detailed examination of each product dossier and making an appropriate recommendation to the Department. The Department, as competent authority for vaccines, issues a licence, taking due account of the Irish Medicines Board recommendation. Regarding the designation of route of supply, this decision is taken on an individual basis, reflecting the characteristics of the product. In doing so, the full range of potential outlets provided for in the Animal Remedies Regulations 1996, including "licensed merchant", is considered having regard to the objective criteria set out in the regulations.
Regarding intramammaries, the Department is considering how best to give effect to a recom mendation of the IMB that all such products should only be available on veterinary prescription. In formulating a prescription regime for intramammaries, the approach is to put in place a workable system which provides the essential guarantees for public health and animal health and welfare and recognises the important part played by all stake holders, including the milk processing industry.
As regards designation of routes of supply, the Department does not have a policy to exclude any of the legitimate outlets which are provided for under the 1996 regulations. Neither could this exercise be approached in an arbitrary way to apportion market share between the various commercial interests in the marketplace.
The Department will continue under the review of vaccines to designate individual products to the appropriate route of supply which, based on its assessment, is the minimum required to safeguard human and animal health.
I thank the Minister for his reply which I will have to examine in detail. I wish to raise the issue of intramammaries. Does the Minister of State agree that co-operatives have a vested interest in ensuring that intramammaries are used responsibly, that farmers are professional people who use the products in a responsible manner and that, if co-ops are prohibited from selling the products and their sale is left to vets and pharmacists, costs will increase and a black market may develop in this area, as has happened in some countries?
Will the Minister of State assure me that the sale of intramammaries will continue in the current form and that no changes will be made? There is considerable concern among farmers who are responsible people. It would add an unnecessary cost and would not benefit the consumer or food safety to have intramammaries on sale only in pharmacies or by veterinary prescription.
I appreciate fully what the Deputy said about the role played by co-ops and others. The Department is mindful of increasing costs on farmers and it was with that in mind that extensive consultation took place with all farming organisations and the many interested groups. There are three methods of availing of intramammaries: from the veterinary profession, pharmacists and co-ops.
I will give some background to this debate. The Minister was obliged to take on board the recommendation of the Irish Medicines Board which had made proposals as far back as 1999 to the Department. These were studied by experts in the Department. Even at that stage the board recognised that the tight prescription rules in legislation would be unworkable in the case of intramammaries. Further clinical examinations were carried out on the basis of periodic monitoring of mastitis control on farms.
The intention and hope would be that, as a result of these ongoing discussions, a safe, practical and workable method of dispensing intramammaries can be put in place. The Deputy must remember that the overriding concerns of the Department are public health, animal and health welfare and the cost to the farmer. We are trying to bring together an arrangement whereby we achieve the best result for all concerned.
Among the three points the Minister of State mentioned was the cost to the farmer. I assure him that, if there is a change, costs will increase. He also mentioned animal welfare. Groups have attended Oireachtas committee meetings on this issue and no evidence has been produced—
A brief question.
It will be brief. No evidence has been produced that suggests there is a difficulty with animal welfare or that there has been a difficulty with food safety. I agree with the Minister of State on those points. Can he assure me there will not be a change in the current system of dispensing intramammaries?
I have not said there will not be a change. We have accepted the report of the Irish Medicines Board which is charged with the responsibility of advising the Minister for Agriculture and Food. It has recommended the prescription method, but the fact remains and we in the Department realise only too well that we cannot impose the cost of a visit by a vet to a farm every time a prescription is necessary for the treatment of mastitis. We are putting together a proposal that would perhaps allow—
The time for this question has concluded.
When will that be ready?
—the vet to do a periodic mastitis report on farms. That would take into account the number of animals on the farm and the record. We are conscious that there is a cost factor, but there are also obligations on the Department.
We have gone over time on this question. There will be an opportunity to come back to it on Question No. 6.
When will that decision be published?
As soon as possible.