Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I welcome the motion and congratulate my colleague, Deputy Naughten, for bringing it to the House. I ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food to support Irish farmers. There have been major changes in the farming sector. Costs have increased significantly and profits have decreased. Many farmers have been forced to vote with their feet by leaving the farming industry. The number of people in full-time farming has decreased substantially over the last two decades. If we do not halt the decline in farming and the drop in the involvement of farmers in rural communities, there will be a sea-change in the nature of rural society.

Farmers are being strangled by red tape and excessive regulation. When we visit the Continent, we cannot understand how many practices which would not be tolerated here continue to be carried out there. The nitrates directive will lead to enormous costs if it ever comes to fruition. We often hear of farmers who must sell sites to meet the cost of new regulations. They will no longer be able to do that if the planning permission guidelines come into force.

Veterinary expenses have increased by 44% over the past ten years. We have noted the results of the imposition of restrictions on the sale of antibiotics to veterinarians and pharmacists. The antibiotic Penstrep, for example, could have been purchased for between €3 and €4 per 100 mg before restrictions were imposed on its sale. It now costs between €12 and €14 to purchase it from veterinarians and between €6 and €8 to buy it from pharmacies. It is clear that the imposition of restrictions on the sale of antibiotics has dramatically increased their cost. A P13 IBR vaccine bought in this country costs €8.50 per animal, compared with 91 cents in the United States as a result of restrictions on the distribution of medicines. The discrepancy in its cost results from the restrictions on the distribution of medicines to farmers.

If we adopt the approach suggested by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, what will be the implications for the overall market price of veterinary medicines? The current system will be able to remain in operation if we give member states the responsibility to designate who is qualified to prescribe various medicines. Why do we need to make the proposed change? The system is working well. Our food products have a very high status in international markets. Irish food products are seen as green, environmentally friendly and free from difficulties. Why should we change the current procedures if we do not have to? When the representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Food discussed this directive at EU level, they expressed their opposition to it. I do not understand the Department's U-turn in this regard. Why is it insisting that the directive be recognised in this manner, which is not necessary?

I remind the House of the views of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, as outlined at a joint committee meeting today. According to the union:

The draft veterinary medicines regulations, if implemented, will squeeze pharmacists out of the veterinary medicines market. This should not be allowed to happen. Pharmacists should be given limited prescribing rights so that they can prescribe products currently available without prescription and a small range of other products, such as flea treatment for dogs, ringworm treatments and trace elements, copper, magnesium, iodine, calcium and selenium. Failure to do so will undermine competition, increase costs to farmers and deprive them of a choice and, in many cases, reduce access to frequently used medicines.

Fine Gael is concerned that many pharmacies will not prescribe medicines because demand for prescriptions will shift elsewhere. The Minister should respond positively to Deputy Naughten's motion. She needs to examine seriously her position on this matter.

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