Ms Paula Barry Walsh:

The regulation is changing business models in many respects, and we recognise that. Licensed merchants, LMs, have expressed concern around whether a prescription will shift the buying, selling and dispensing directly between the farmer and the vet who will prescribe it. I understand that fear but in the context of the overall change of business models, it is impossible for us to determine today whether things will cost money. I am at pains to say that when one looks at the overall context of the antiparasitic resistance stakeholder group and the objective behind it, less antiparasitic medicines will be sold. ICOS actually identified it very well. It recognised that and we recognised that. However, what is not at stake and what we seek to maintain is the animal health and welfare status of the country's herds and flocks. Within that, there is a need to safeguard the €14 billion trade, which was referenced earlier.

There will be and can be decreased costs for farmers in the context of less antiparasitics. In a changed business model, what can happen is that veterinarians and their expertise will be needed in the context of animal herd health. Their expertise will be a necessary prerequisite to ensure any lessening of antiparasitic sales will be met by increased herd health management programmes and increased awareness. It is not that farmers are unaware or that they are not well-educated but we hope to increase education and awareness across the whole system.