Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to ensure, first of all, that the structure we put in place means that the lines of supply and the means for people to purchase product are available and can continue, while ensuring that there is a robust veterinary input and oversight. Many of these products are overused. I was listening to Deputy Cahill, who as the Deputy is aware, is the Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, when he made his contribution last week. He outlined how on his farm they have totally changed their approach and that is representative. Unfortunately, it is not representative of every farm, because not every farm has changed. Deputy Cahill outlined how on his farm they have changed how they use fluke administrations and wormer administrations, and how they use a lot less of it. In the past, it would have been used regimentally at the same time of the year. It is clear at this stage, from what we know now, that such use would not have been necessary and in fact would have been overuse. That is a cost saving as well as an animal health and welfare saving. We need to ensure that every farm in the country makes the change. That takes veterinary input and professional advice. Assessments and sampling are also required. We must do the right thing at the right time to ensure that what we are doing actually works and will work into the future. The structure of lines of supply is going to be important. We must ensure that where people purchase product remains open to them and that competition remains in the market. We want to achieve a situation where people purchase less of this product from everyone but continue to purchase it from people. We need to reduce the use of it, but we must ensure that people for whom this is an important part of their business lines can continue to operate with that veterinary oversight and input and with the new focus on the proper assessment criteria to decide how to use it. While we must keep the cost of the product highly competitive, it is also important that we reduce the cost overall because less of the product will be used if it is used in the right way, at the right time and in the right place.

I thank the Deputies and look forward to bringing the Bill to Committee Stage, having further engagement, and trying to expedite its passage through the Houses. I also thank my officials for all their work on this legislation. Ted Massey and Conor O'Mahony are here today, but I thank the members of the wider team as well.

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