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Veterinary Medicines

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Ceisteanna (25)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

25. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the measures he is taking to prevent the direct loss of up to 3,000 jobs in the agricultural merchants sector following EU plans to introduce new regulations in January 2022 that will prohibit agricultural merchants from prescribing certain medications and animal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33310/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

I thank the Minister for being here so late to take these questions. Will the Minister provide an update on the measures he is taking to prevent the direct loss of up to 3,000 jobs in the agricultural merchant sector following EU plans to introduce new regulations in January 2022 that will prohibit agricultural merchants from prescribing certain medications and animal products. Will the Minister indicate whether the Government will seek a derogation to bring a resolution to this matter?

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which she has raised previously. It is an important issue for many licensed merchants throughout the country. I know it is a cause of concern. I will outline the situation. Regulation (EU) 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products is due to come into effect in January 2022. This regulation is binding in full and has direct effect on all member states. Two issues have arisen, which are the new requirement under EU law for a veterinary prescription to be issued before antiparasitic products can be dispensed and the question as to whether Ireland can avail of a derogation in the regulation that permits professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions

On the first issue, in 2004 European legislation established a requirement that all veterinary medicinal products intended for use in food-producing animals should be subject to a veterinary prescription. However, a 2006 EU directive allowed for the maintenance of non-prescription status for certain veterinary medicinal products that did not present a risk to human or animal health or to the environment. Ireland availed of the exemption in Directive 2006/130/EC at the time and antiparasitics were allowed to continue to be available without prescription.

A similar exemption is available under the new Regulation (EU) 2019/6. However, since that time, our knowledge regarding the impact of extensive use of antiparasitics has changed. Scientific evidence is now available showing that antiparasitic veterinary medicines intended for use in food-producing species do not comply with the criteria for derogation from veterinary prescription specified in Regulation (EU) 2019/6. Therefore, antiparasitic veterinary medicines must require a veterinary prescription before they can be dispensed from January 2022. We do not have national discretion on this particular issue.

On the second issue, there is a separate derogation in the regulation, which allows professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions in limited circumstances, but only if this was provided for in a member state's national legislation prior to Regulation 2019/6 coming into force in January 2019.

I am aware of the difficulties and I have established a stakeholder group to try to deal with the issues and I am very much committed to working with all stakeholders to consider how best we can address the issue and find a way forward.

I would like to see the scientific evidence because I am not sure where it is coming from. Agricultural merchants are highly trained and skilled professionals who have been dispensing drugs since 2006. They also provide much-needed employment in rural towns where there is little or no employment. In my constituency we have Midland Veterinary in Tullamore, Portarlington and Edenderry and John Grennan and Sons in Kilcormac and Rath. They provide huge employment where there are few or no opportunities for people to gain employment.

When I raised the matter with the Taoiseach in September he accepted there was still work to be done on the directive. He also said he would discuss the matter with the Minister and look to see whether the application for the additional derogation clause could proceed. This derogation must be sought to protect much-needed jobs and to avoid putting financial burdens and inconvenience on farmers who are already under great strain. Perhaps the Minister might provide an update on the work of the stakeholder forum, which has been established and to which the Minister referred. Has a compromise and resolution of the issue been achieved? I have been inundated with calls from the Twenty-six Counties and there is no way forward other than the derogation.

I thank the Deputy. The scientific testing on the antiparasitics will be done at national level and will be verifiable and done in accordance with prescribed specifications. I have met many licensed merchants for whom this is a significant part of their business. Many of them have trained and responsible persons on their premises who oversee the sale of these products. I know how important it is for them to be able to continue to maintain the business line they have. I also know the importance farmers attach to being able to continue to purchase from licensed merchants. This is why I have established the stakeholder group to try to assess the challenges and concerns that merchants undoubtedly have about this and to see what the way forward might be. It has not finalised its work and will continue to do so. I will work with it to see what mechanisms might be possible to assuage concerns.

I thank the Minister for his response. The fact that change is suggested is neither fair nor evidence based. To suggest agricultural merchants represent a threat to the health of livestock, which is the assumption, is not fact based. It is a worry. The sector is a vital cog in the rural economy, as I have pointed out. I hope the Minister will take on board the following point. Given the reluctance of many Irish vets to fulfil their current statutory obligation under Regulation 43(3) of the 2007 animal remedies regulations to issue vet prescriptions to animal owners, the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 into Irish law will potentially create a monopoly on the supply of vet medicines. Could we separate the prescribing and dispensing of veterinary medicines as we do with human medicines? This is done in Scandinavian countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, and it has positive outcomes. I would be grateful if the Minister will respond to this particular question.

I will be guided by the work of the stakeholder forum in examining what options are available to try to ensure the business of licensed merchants is not affected while at the same time ensuring we are compliant with the EU regulations to which we are legally bound to adhere. My understanding is that at present Ireland, apart from the UK, is the only EU country that does not have veterinary prescriptions for antiparasitics. The particular regulation will apply from January 2022. It is about working with licensed merchants to see how we can try to deal with the concerns they have and ensure their business is not affected while, at the same time, remaining legally compliant with our obligations under EU regulations.

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