Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

371. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the membership and minutes of the stakeholder forum convened to address the challenges facing the agricultural and livestock merchant sector with respect to EU regulations on the dispensing and prescribing of certain medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35898/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The following organisations are currently members of the Antiparasitic Resistance Stakeholder Group.

- Agricultural Consultants Association

- Acorn Independent Merchants

- Animal Health Ireland

- Animal and Plant Health Association

- Environmental Protection Agency

- Independent Licenced Merchants Association

- Irish Cattle and Sheep Association

- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation

- Irish Co-operative Organisation Society

- Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

- Irish Farmers Association

- Irish Pharmacy Union

- Health Products Regulatory Authority

- Teagasc

- University College Dublin

- Veterinary Council of Ireland

- Veterinary Ireland

There have been two meetings of this group to date, the first meeting on 17^thJune 2020, and a second meeting on 9th September. The terms of reference for this group include the identification, proposal and management of solutions to allow Ireland comply with Regulation 2019/6, whilst recognising the current expertise of existing actors, in particular licensed merchants and pharmacists. This group has developed an action plan that has as one of it's key objectives to facilitate an efficient, competitive supply chain through effective regulation and innovation. My Department has established this group to address in a holistic way, the challenges faced by all stakeholders in light of the change in route of supply of antiparasitics, but also to protect the efficacy of antiparasitics for the benefit of animal health and welfare, and the sustainability of food production and the agri-food sector.