Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of her application to the EU Commission for an exemption list under the animal remedies regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17803/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 12047 on 29 March, my Department made a submission to the Commission on 17 March with a view to having the draft exemption criteria published by the Commission on 9 February adapted to better reflect the risk/benefit profile of veterinary medicinal products and to facilitate decisions on the route of supply to be taken on a scientific basis. However, the Commission has not yet come forward with formal proposals for the exemption criteria. My Department will engage fully with the Commission and other Member States in the course of the deliberations in the regulatory Committee on the formal proposals, when adopted by the Commission. My best estimate is that the process will not be completed at least until late Summer.

As I have already stated publicly, I will review the national prescription and distribution arrangements in consultation with stakeholders when the final shape of the EU exemption criteria is clearer. In particular I will, depending on the likely outcome, consider whether persons other than vets should be permitted to prescribe veterinary medicines. My intention is to complete the consultative process in time to permit decisions on this issue to be taken well in advance of the 1 January 2007 deadline provided for in the EU legislation.