Mr. Brian McHugh:

I am assuming that currently veterinary practices make a profit. They provide a service consumers want in those areas and whichever corporate entity comes in I do not see why a partnership with multiple vets, or a corporate entity with non-vets, or a sole trader is going to choose one particular path to go down. The idea one particular type of corporate entity is going to have a really radical impact in certain areas is one I find hard to follow. What we are saying, and what I keep coming back to, is those consumers should have the choice of where they want to go. Where those consumers and farmers in those areas have used that veterinary practice, get they the service they want and that veterinary practice makes a profit, as I take it they currently do, then that will continue.