Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We live in world of regulations. Almost everything we do on a day-to-day basis is regulated in some way or another. Compared to decades ago in Ireland, the farming industry has seen regulations imposed on almost every aspect of its business. Farmers across Tipperary tell me that the most stressful element of farming is coping with the excessive quantities of red tape and bureaucracy. The vast majority of regulations have been willingly accepted and introduced. The ultimate benefits have been recognised and while costs are always a major concern, compliance with new rules has been largely achieved. This is because the vast majority of farmers see the wisdom in doing so. They see the wisdom and they see the potential benefits. When something makes sense, farmers are the first to acknowledge that fact. One of the key factors to be borne in mind in relation to this Bill is that its purpose is to introduce legislation that will allow for the EU regulations on the issue of veterinary medicines be decided by a national law. This means, or should mean, that we have a say in how these laws are implemented. It should also mean we take on board our own domestic situation, examine how effectively and successfully it is working and scrutinise how new regulations will impact on all partners to the industry. From a farming perspective, this approach is not reflected in this Bill.

Inevitably, laws passed at European Union level will not always be acceptable on a one-size-fits-all basis for each member state. Each country has, up to now, been operating variations in the ways in which it handles matters as determined by its own practices and circumstances. This has long been the case in Ireland. Unless serious problems have been identified with the existing system, the question is why they are being asked to change. When it comes to the use of antiparasitic medicines in farm animals, generations of Irish farmers, including those in Tipperary, have obtained such medications from their local co-op or farm store. This has meant that if a farmer felt an animals required certain medicines such as antiparasitics or antibiotics, it was a matter of purchasing them from the qualified person with responsibility for such sales at the co-op. We all accept that farmers know their animals. They care for them on a daily basis and know exactly what is best for them. This has always been the case and few, if any, problems have arisen. Co-ops know the farmers personally. They take a responsible approach to the dispensing of medications. The system works on knowledge and trust.

However, this Bill means that this long-established practice is no longer considered acceptable. This Bill suggests that farmers are incapable of caring for their animals. It implies that the years of successful experience which farmers have in this area cannot be trusted. Equally it suggest that the co-ops have not been upholding their area of responsibility. Neither of these implications are sustained by facts. Farmers are fully cognisant of the fact that animal products are destined for the human food chain. The production of animals is their livelihood. They do what is correct to keep their animals healthy. In fact, Irish farmers pride themselves on producing healthy and wholesome food.

As a result of this Bill, farmers will now be required to obtain a prescription from a veterinarian in order to obtain routine medicines for their animals. According to the Bill, veterinarians will keep an electronic record of the medicines prescribed to regulate the amounts given and to ensure approved products and standards are adhered to and that the dosage and dosing frequency is appropriate to each animal. Farmers are fully aware, from an animal welfare perspective and from an end user viewpoint, that administering too much or too little of any form of antimicrobial medicine can have detrimental consequences. Their livelihood depends on ensuring their animals are healthy and well. As Ireland exports 85% of its total meat production to 75 countries across the globe, the guaranteed quality of our products is of paramount importance, not just to the overall economy, but to the survival of our already heavily regulated farming industry. Our overall standards are recognised as being very high. Farmers will not risk anything that would jeopardise this major advantage in the marketplace. To imply otherwise is to undermine farmers who work conscientiously to ensure our farm to fork reputation has remained unblemished.

The introduction of these new regulations on veterinary-only prescribing also throws up another serious issue. Has the Minister and the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, factored in the ongoing serious shortage of vets? This lack of vets already poses huge problems for our agrifood sector. The sector is facing a crisis with just one-in-four new registered vets being educated in Ireland. How can farmers be expected to adhere to new regulations if the only people permitted to implement them are not available to prescribe? We are talking about rural Ireland. Vets are not queueing up to live and work in urban areas, much less in rural locations. Will farmers be required to go on a waiting list in order to give routine worm treatments?

The impact of these measures on co-ops across Tipperary and the entire country has been seriously underrated or consciously overlooked. This Bill will have an enormous impact on these businesses which have been the mainstay in farming communities. It will give rise to a loss of a lucrative income for the co-ops and will also threaten jobs and the livelihood of employees. Farmers are loyal to the co-op services they use and have built up long-standing business relationships and friendships with the staff. Apart from their own situation, the farming community is genuinely concerned about the effect the fallout of this Bill will have on co-ops. Co-ops and farming go hand in hand in rural Ireland. They depend on each other. They work together for the common good. The success of one is dependent on the success of the other.

The issues around fertilisers are less contentious but are nonetheless concerning to farmers.

The war in Ukraine has resulted in a reduction in the availability of fertiliser, as many fertiliser production plants were located there. As would be expected, the fallout from this reduced availability has led to a substantial rise in the cost of fertiliser. It is not known how long this situation will last. There are fears that these increased costs will result in widespread restricted fertiliser use and reduced availability of products throughout the current year.

Under the new regulations, there will now be a requirement for farmers' purchase of fertilisers to be recorded on a database. This new database will be designed to track accurately individual farmers' purchase of fertilisers, including all nitrogen, phosphorus and potash sales. With the increased cost of fertilisers, farmers anticipate they will use less fertiliser during 2023. Not only will higher costs be a factor, but a lack of availability and difficulty in obtaining fertiliser will be a problem for all Irish farmers. The fear among farmers is that the reduced level of fertiliser, when officially recorded on a database, will impact on future policy decisions as this is the database that will facilitate Ireland's eco scheme under Ireland's common agricultural strategy. This is of serious concern for farmers as their future livelihoods are dependent on crucial decisions taken remotely on their behalf. This will be unfair and unjust and they need to have a cast-iron guarantee that circumstances outside of their control will not be used as a stick to beat them with in the future.

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