Vol. 487 No. 7
208 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he has taken arising from newspaper reports (details supplied) that prescription drugs for animals were being sold over the counter in Northern Ireland and being imported to this jurisdiction, particularly in view of the possible impact on consumers' health highlighted by the head of the Food and Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5103/98]
Since the alleged original offences occurred in Northern Ireland, it is for the authorities in that jurisdiction to take the primary action to address this problem. I am extremely concerned about any possible risks to Irish consumers arising from breaches of the relevant UK rules and my Department has expressed such concerns to counterparts in the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. I understand that the appropriate authorities in Northern Ireland are currently dealing with the matter.
There is also the question of offences under our legislation which would arise from illegal importation and use of such medicines in this country. In this regard, I would point to the relevant controls in our legislation, particularly those which impose an obligation on farmers to keep records in a specified form, inter alia, of all prescription medicines used. Where unauthorised use of medicines is detected as a result of such controls, I am committed to ensuring that the full rigours of the law are used against the people concerned.
