Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am interested in what is going on here because a severe penalty will be put on farmers by this. I have a conflict of interest in this regard because I am a small farmer. We know exactly what will happen here and who will be hit hardest. As I was listening to the discussion, I remembered that my father worked in a local co-operative for 48 years. He dispensed of these products in a safe manner, but all of a sudden it is being deemed that those co-operatives or regulated sales merchants are no longer safe channels to distribute these products. This will be at a severe cost to farmers. It is an attack on rural Ireland and a direct attack on farmers. We must do everything in our power as a committee to bring the derogation that is available to fruition.

I would like to ask Mr. Scott and Mr. Quinn a few questions. Mr. Scott stated that the ILMA has a legal opinion to support the interpretation of derogation 105(4). Who has seen this opinion and has it been seen by the Attorney General?

We have already heard that policing the Border against the illegal movement of UK veterinary medicinal products into the Republic will prove impossible. How do the ILMA and the IPU view the repercussions if the Department sets up measures for prescription only by vets, when over the Border the suitably qualified person can prescribe and dispense for free?