Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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974. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning the use of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28148/23]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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975. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning the importation of products containing pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28149/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 974 and 975 together.

The strict licensing of veterinary medicinal products for use in Ireland is the competence of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and is continually under review where any adverse reaction or event is reported. All veterinary medicinal products containing pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) which are currently authorised for use within Ireland are only supplied under prescription by a veterinary practitioner under whose care the treated animals are kept. Veterinary professionals only prescribed this licensed medicine once they have determined that it is the best possible course of action for animal health purposes.

If there are alternative products containing PMSG seeking importation to Ireland due to a licensed product shortage and where the need for such importation is due to an animal health situation, applications are sent to the Department of Agriculture. Department Officials then rigorously investigate the need for the importation.