Longford Farming: Vet Med discussions have to include farmers

IFA Animal Health chair TJ Maher said it’s concerning from a farmer’s perspective to hear discussions have taken place between the Department of Agriculture, vets and Licensed Merchants on the Draft SI for the Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations over the past few weeks. Farmers have had no communication on the issue since last January.

TJ Maher said the Department of Agriculture would do well to remember that it is farmers who purchase these products and it is farmers who will be directly impacted in our daily management of our animals by the contents of the final SI.

“It is ironic that the two service providers - vets and Licensed Merchants - who are seeking to maximise their control on the supply of these veterinary medicinal products are the stakeholders the Department of Agriculture have chosen to engage with on this issue rather than the people who actually buy the products and whose money these service providers are pursuing.”

TJ Maher said the last discussions with the Department of Agriculture on this issue were in January when IFA rejected the draft SI for a number of reasons.

“When finalised, it’s vital that the SI maximises competition in the supply and sale of veterinary medicinal products.