Ms Paula Barry Walsh:

There is probably some history behind it. I again refer to the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society. When one considers the directive and legislation in 2007, one also had an option of having antiparisitics prescribed by a non-veterinarian. Ireland chose that option. As the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society, ICOS, said, it was happy with that. We all thought it was a good idea. It was the way we went forward, in a considered manner.

On the basis of the study done by the HPRA, which demonstrated evidence of antiparasitic resistance, we were no longer in a position not to have prescriptions used. However, we did not have a methodology under which a prescription could be given except by a veterinary surgeon. As I said, that is aligned with the whole of Europe. Mr. Forde probably has more details.