Latest Laois News: Local TD calls on Minister for Agriculture to provide response to Agriculture Committee’s report on Veterinary Medicines

“Minister must provide a response to Agriculture Committee Report on Veterinary Medicines.” Carol Nolan TD

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue to provide a clear and timely response to the recommendations contained in the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Report on the Proposed Regulation of Veterinary Medicines in Ireland.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after she had engaged with the Independent Licensed Merchants Association (ILMA).

The ILMA have welcomed the Report, describing the recommendations as providing “an irresistible opportunity for the department to accept and facilitate a move to shared prescribing.”

The ILMA also informed Deputy Nolan that they are cautiously optimistic that the Minister will accept the recommendations in light of the fact that his department has already acknowledged the expertise of the trained and qualified Responsible Person with the FETAC level 6 examination:

Deputy Nolan went on to say:

“I want to commend the Committee Chair, Deputy Jackie Cahill and indeed all members for so effectively and constructively engaging in this issue and for recognising the enormously valuable role that the licenced merchants play in the rural economy and maintenance of animal health.

The ILMA in particular have been persuasive and articulate defenders of their sector and their workers and they are to be applauded for resisting any attempt to downgrade their expertise or community role.

Minister McConalogue must now move quickly to provide an assurance to the licenced merchants that he will take on board the recommendations of the Committee, especially the recommendation that the Department ensures the continuation of the existing network, which includes Licensed Merchants and Veterinary Pharmacists, as a recognised route of supply of antiparasitic medicines.

It is also vitally important that we have full disclosure of the Attorney General’s response to the legal brief submitted by the ILMA.

This will be crucial in terms of stakeholders ability to address and understand any changes that the Minister may make to the regulatory and legal environment in the future,” concluded Deputy Nolan.