Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a question. Every bullock that is killed is tested for residues, as is every litre of milk that is processed. Thankfully, the level found is very low. This shows the responsible way in which the products are being used. Several years ago factories started giving us post mortem reports on animals killed to show the effectiveness of the dosing regime at farm level. That has been a significant initiative as well. We saw from the post mortem whether we had a worm or a fluke problem. The farmer could then talk to his vet and discuss the issue. Significant structures are in place.

As others have said, they are perfectly prepared for what they do to be regulated and if there is an extra course that they need to do, they are prepared to do it.

Reference was made to competition. Competition and the cost of the products are at the centre of the issue. We will destroy competition, increase the cost to the primary producer and I am yet to see where there will be a gain for the consumer. Ultimately, we should be trying to achieve a gain for the consumer but I cannot see how this extra bureaucracy will facilitate that.