Vol. 557 No. 1
187 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of lobby groups or public relations firms he or his Department has met with to discuss issues of impending legislation since the formation of the Government; the issues on which they lobbied; if this resulted in changes or amendments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21643/02]
In relation to the Bill to regulate the veterinary profession and ancillary activities which is in the process of being drafted my Department has engaged in a consultative process with a range of interested parties.
A report from the Irish Medicines Board has recommended that intramammary medicines should be subject to veterinary prescription. My Department met with representatives of the Irish Farmers' Association on 29 October 2002 as part of a consultative process with a range of interested parties on how best to give practical effect to the recommendation. Public relations firms have not been involved in the consultation in either cases.
