Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the animal remedies regulations; the discussions to date with the EU on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18791/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: 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. [18767/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 56 together.

The Animal Remedies Regulations 2005 (SI 734/2005), which transpose EU Directive 2004/28, were signed into effect by me on 17 November 2005. On the outstanding issue in regard to bringing all medicines for food producing animals under veterinary prescription control, my Department made a submission to the Commission on 17 March with a view to having 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 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.