Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Fees paid by farmers to private veterinary practitioners are a private contractual matter between the two parties concerned and I have no statutory function in this area. In line with the position more broadly in the economy - for professions and other service providers - veterinary fees and charges are set in accordance with general market principles. It would not be appropriate for me to impose a cap on the level of fees charged by veterinary practitioners. I encourage farmers to shop around to obtain best value from their local veterinary service providers. In this regard, it is interesting to note that the Competition Authority concluded in its report on the veterinary profession in 2008 that there are wide variations in the fees charged by veterinarians and in their charging methods. Fees charged by veterinarians also take into account of daytime and night-time calls, distance travelled, and so on. In addition, a survey of fees charged by veterinarians in respect of TB and brucellosis testing, which was conducted by the Irish Farmers' Journal last year, shows that fees charged for this service vary considerably, indicating that competition exists in the market place and that farmers can achieve value for money if they shop around.

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