Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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725. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the recommendation by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in its report on the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill in relation to the HPRA recommended impact assessment being completed in advance of the implementation of the legislation has been published; the findings, if any, of this assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8285/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The HPRA Report of the Task Force on the method of supply of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products that are intended for food-producing species which ultimately recommended the upregulation of antiparasitics for food producing animals to prescription only medicines stated that

“An impact assessment of policy options on resistance control as well as on stakeholders and current product providers would be needed. The options should place the control of resistance as its central aim and consider:

- What changes in the national legislation are required to ensure that antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products that are designated veterinary prescription control are accessible in a manner which:

a. Limits the development of resistance,

b. Fosters sustainability of the drugs used,

c. Promotes the use of evidence-based scientific tests to underpin the use of the drugs,

d. Provides for the necessary control and access, and,

e. Complies with Regulation 2019/6.

- Whether there would be any limitations or conditions for veterinary practitioners or other prescribers that would restrict their rights or ability to prescribe the products in question. This might include specification of the detailed conditions for issuing a prescription, as well as the operation of any specified animal health and welfare programmes for the farm/animal etc.,

- What limitations or conditions, if any, should attach to those authorised to dispense veterinary prescriptions for antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products,

- Whether a particular provision is necessary for antiparasitic veterinary medicines for bees, poultry, fish and minor species,

- Whether any changes to the legislation governing the purchase and possession of the relevant animal remedies and associated record-keeping would be needed,

- Whether, or to what extent, existing actors in the provision of antiparasitic diagnostic services to food-producing animals would be actively engaged in discussions on the preceding policy options.”

On consideration of the above Report and in order for my Department to evaluate the impacts of the upregulation of antiparasitics in a collaborative manner, we set up an Antiparasitic Resistance stakeholder Group, chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer. All the elements identified in the HPRA recommendations were addressed as part of this process and informed the development of the policy proposals.