Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Boyhan. I am very much aware of the issues and of the concerns among wholesalers and merchants with regard to the potential impact this regulation may have on their businesses. I am also aware of concerns among the farming community as to whether any change could lead to an increase in costs or additional challenges for farmers. I see the role of the stakeholders' group as important. While we have to comply with our obligations under EU regulations, I want to ensure that we meet those obligations in a practical manner which takes into account the situation facing farmers to ensure that costs do not increase. It is also important to recognise the role played by licensed merchants in this process and the significant business they have in this regard. We are obliged to work to ensure that resistance to antiparasitics does not build up. We must do everything required of us in that regard but I will work with the stakeholders' group over the coming period to develop a way to implement the derogation which takes into account all of those various factors.