Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

Last year, the IFA estimated in 2009 the overall cost to farmers of medicines alone was €117 million. It also estimated that the cost of veterinary fees was approximately €2,000 per farm. It is disturbing that there is a variation in prices with regard to compulsory testing. The latter is supposed to benefit the State and all the people who live in it, as well as eradicating any type of disease which might be there. I wonder whether it might be possible to fix the price in this regard.

A survey carried out by the IFA in 2009 shows that some products, including antibiotics, were being sold for three times the amount for which they could be purchased at the lower end of the price scale. It would be of assistance if a mechanism relating to fixing the price of medicines in order to do away with the variations relating thereto could be put in place. Farm incomes tend to ebb and flow. They are quite good at present but three or four years ago they were quite low. While there are variations, the cost of medicines and the amounts charged in fees have remained virtually the same during the intervening period. It is costing farmers who are trying to survive and remain in the industry a great deal of money to cater for their livestock, and so on. A mechanism should be put in place so that a standard charge would apply in respect of compulsory testing or so forth.

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