Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to implement regulations (details supplied); her views on less restrictive measures similar to other EU countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32222/05]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that implementation of excessive and restrictive regulations (details supplied) could create an underground market for medicines; her views on opting for a balance between co-op stores, veterinary surgeons, pharmacies, farm stores; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32223/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.

On 22 October last, I announced my decisions on the main issues which had been raised during the consultative phase on draft regulations regarding veterinary medicines. I have also comprehensively outlined my approach in this area to the House on a number of occasions, the most recent of which was in response to a Private Members' motion on 19 and 20 October.

There is no basis for the assertion that I am putting in place a regime which is more restrictive than those applying in other EU countries. As I have clearly stated on a number of occasions, I am proceeding on the basis that for most current medicines, existing national prescription arrangements will be retained until the relevant criteria for exempting medicines from the prescription regime are finalised at EU level. On this basis, the only category of product which in due course will become subject to prescription control as result of the forthcoming regulations is intramammary mastitis treatments. These products are already restricted to prescription only in the majority of member states in the EU, including in the United Kingdom and, accordingly, the new regulations will merely bring the position in Ireland into line with the norm. Furthermore, I am not aware of any EU country which allows persons other than vets to prescribe these and other antibiotic treatments. As I have indicated in my statement on the 22 October, the Irish Medicines Board will arrange the reclassification process for intramammaries with a view to having it complete by January 2007.

With regard to the issue of writing prescriptions generally, I have already stated publicly that I do not need to address this issue until the exemption criteria have been agreed at EU level, which must happen before 1 January 2007. I will review the situation in light of the outcome on the exemption criteria in the course of next year, in particular with regard to the qualifications needed by non-vets and the categories of product which may be prescribed by them with a view to ensuring continuing competition in the market place while at the same time protecting public and animal health.

In view of the fact that the prescription regime is to remain substantially unchanged for the present, there are no grounds for concern that the new regulations on veterinary medicines will lead to the creation of an underground market for medicines. In any event, I assure the Deputy that anyone who chooses to go outside of authorised channels for medicines will be subject to the full rigours of the law.