Denis Naughten
Question:101 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 238 of 29 January 2003, his plans regarding intramammary antibiotic medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12501/03]
Written Answers. - Veterinary Medicines.
My Department has been engaged in considering how best to give effect to the recommendations of the Irish Medicines Board that intramammary antibiotic medicines for animals should be brought under prescription control, given that it is recognised in this report that existing legislative arrangements governing prescriptions could not be applied to intramammaries. As part of this process, my Department has engaged in an extensive consultative process.
Having received submissions from a number of interested parties and having had a number of follow-up meetings which had been requested by some of the parties, my Department is finalising proposals for prospective changes to the relevant legislation to take account of the recommendations of the IMB and, in so far as possible, the views expressed by interested parties. It is my intention that this process will be completed at an early date.