The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details Veterinary Medicines

Intended results To provide a 12-month validity period for prescriptions for non-antimicrobial products (products other than antibiotics) to minimise the costs associated with acquiring a prescription for farmers and to provide the opportunity for farmers to competitively source their veterinary medicines needs. To provide ‘consultant vet' prescribing for antiparasitic products based on a ‘Proper Assessment Protocol' that does not require a farm visit for the prescribing vet to ensure Licensed Merchants and Co-ops can continue to actively participate in the sale and supply of these products to farmers. Ensure the ‘consultant vets' facilitated to prescribe in the SI are vets who are actively practising as veterinary practitioners for farm animals in Ireland and licensed appropriately to provide this service to protect the integrity of this important prescribing system. To provide a simplified prescribing system for the PVP associated with the herd that recognises the direct on farm knowledge of that vet and his/her professional judgement in prescribing antiparasitic products for the farm. By simplifying the prescribing process for the PVP associated with the herd the administrative burden is reduced for the vet, the value of the on-farm knowledge is reflected in the SI and the potential cost for these prescriptions is reduced for farmers. The POM(E) category must be maintained to minimise the prescription requirement to purchase veterinary medicines for farmers and ensure Veterinary Pharmacies continue to play an active role in the provision of advice to farmers and supply of veterinary medicines. The ‘consultant vet' cannot be availed of by Veterinary Pharmacies, the POM(E) category is the only opportunity in reality for these important outlets to remain active in the sale and supply of veterinary medicines following the up r To provide for Licensed Merchants and Co-ops to supply POM(E) vaccines under prescription. This broadens the supply base for farmers, improves competition and availability of these vital tools in the management of the health and welfare of our animals and in reducing the need for antibiotics while recognising their difference in status to POM products. To provide for consultant vets to prescribe POM(E) vaccines under a schedule similar to the prescribing process provided for antiparasitic products but developed to ensure the appropriate information is provided to accurately and correctly prescribe these vaccines for farms including the provision of advice on correct usage of these products.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity TJ Maher IFA Animal Health Chair, Tomas Bourke, IFA Senior Policy Executive

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Phone call (6-10)

Meeting (2-5)

Submission (1)

Social Media (2-5)

Press releases

Email (2-5)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Amii McKeever Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Brendan Gleeson Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Kathleen Funchion MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)