Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in. Hopefully, we will get more information from them than we did from the last witnesses. This is a very hot topic within the agricultural community. One hears words like "monopoly", "more money for the vets", "costs" and "prescription charges" used. I hear them on a regular basis from farmers.

I have three or four quick questions. What is the real on-the-ground impact for farmers of the development of resistance antiparasitic drugs such as fluke or worm doses and what has caused this?

I asked the last witnesses the following question but they said it was not within their remit to answer it. Faecal egg counts are used to determine parasite burdens. Is this the gold standard or are there other issues with using these tests in isolation?

Following on from my earlier comments about veterinary input into the cost on farms, how does Veterinary Ireland propose having an increase in input from a private veterinary practitioner, PVP, on farm management is a worthwhile cost to farmers? In terms of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, are the witnesses frustrated it has not decided the direction it will take on this issue?

Farmers want this sorted out but they want something they can operate with as well.