Mr. Daragh Quinn:

If I could jump in there again, it is something that has been discussed. Obviously it is very pertinent when we see the level of businesses that have encountered a downturn. However, we have been assured that the national veterinary prescription scheme when up and running through the Department of agriculture is intended to create a level playing field. The vet would create a prescription that would be accessible to the farmer on an electronic basis, which would then allow the farmer the choice to purchase the product wherever he or she wished.

That aspiration is based on the previous statutory instrument in 2007 which stated that where a veterinarian prescribes veterinary medicine, he or she has an obligation to issue that prescription at the time of prescribing to the animal owner or keeper. Where they do not do so, it is deemed a statutory offence. I do not know whether that aspect of the regulations has ever been applied. We have encountered a dearth or shortfall of prescriptions and it has been particularly significant since the regulations came into play on 29 January 2022.