Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This Bill will repeal the Animal Remedies Act 1993 to modernise the legislation that governs veterinary medicine. It will also amend the Fertilisers, Feeding Stuffs and Mineral Mixtures Act. It is long overdue and yet another example of Government failure to transpose regulations on time. Ireland has been in breach of its legal obligations for over a year, with the Government dragging its feet. The EU regulation is intended to combat antimicrobial resistance and will require a veterinary prescription for all antibiotics and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products as well as vaccines. In developing this regulation, the EU recognised that the existing regime for dispensing veterinary medicinal products differed between Ireland and Britain and much of mainland Europe. A derogation was introduced which allowed for responsible persons to continue in their existing role, as is common practice here.

While the British Government availed of that derogation, the Irish Government did not. As a result, there are concerns that the qualifications of responsible persons will be rendered meaningless and that there will be a knock-on effect for rural jobs, as well as increased costs for farmers, not to mention the negative impact on animal welfare. In response to these concerns, the Government must establish a national veterinary prescription system which would require all vets to provide an e-prescription that would also facilitate the use of generic medicines.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine heard that similar regulations on anti-inflammatory products led to a 90% reduction in sales in co-operatives. We must protect our rural economy. It is clear that measures are available to address antimicrobial and antiparasitic resistance. This is vital for human and animal health. However, there must be a common-sense approach which allows for the management and dispensing of antiparasitic medicines and vaccines under herd health plans managed by professionals in their area.

The national fertiliser database can play an important role in monitoring fertiliser use across the State, assisting the delivery of improved water quality and reducing greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions. There are concerns about the lack of an all-Ireland approach on this issue, particularly in Border areas where a farmer's nearest supplier may be across the Border. Our farmers are facing a daunting bill of over €1 billion for fertilisers this year due to the soaring cost of fertilisers and the lack of Government support. The Government must act to ensure our farmers are supported. They have a vital role in food production and climate action and they must get the support they need to ensure family farms remain viable.

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