The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 May, 2018

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Jan, 2018 to 30 Apr, 2018

Specific Details EU Veterinary Medicine Proposals

Intended results That farmers concerns are addressed in the new EU Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations by the Department of Agriculture That the proposed regulations, now at the trilogue stage in Brussels, must take on board the concerns of Irish farmers That the emphasis is on competitive prices for key animal medicines such as vaccines and doses. Limiting access to these types of products is counterproductive to reducing the use of antibiotics That the Department of Agriculture recognises the professionalism of farmers and their role in protecting the health and welfare of their animals in the regulations. Farmers cannot be hindered by increased costs and bureaucracy. That access remains to veterinary medicinal products in a competitive market with minimal bureaucracy. That availability of Veterinary Medicines once licensed, should be available in all member states to maximise availability of products for farmers and provide a transparent price comparison system throughout the community. The current individual member state licensing system adds unnecessary costs for farmers and reduces the availability of product. That Cross-border Trade of Veterinary Medicines must be facilitated and in sourcing veterinary medicines from other member states to maximise competition in the supply of veterinary medicines 3. Definition of ‘Antimicrobial’ for the purpose of the regulation While it is broadly understood that antimicrobial refers to antibiotics and the developing antibiotic resistance, the use of the broader definition in the Regulation may have unintended consequences for the supply and availability of some products. 4. Validity period for prescriptions - The current validity period for prescriptions must be maintained to ensure farmers have the opportunity source their veterinary medicines from the most competitive supplier. 5. Prescriptions for veterinary medicinal products - The Regulation must provide member states with the flexibility to allow prescriptions to be provided by suitable persons other than veterinarians for products that do not contain antibiotics. 6. Licensing, Categorisation and Supply routes of veterinary medicinal products 7. New Products - the lack of development of new veterinary medicinal products is a major concern for the sector. The new regulation must provide for continued R&D in the development of new products.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Pat Farrell - IFA Animal Health Chairman

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.

Letter (1)

Phone call (2-5)

Email (1)

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.

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pat Deering TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie Penrose TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Thomas Pringle TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Pádraig MacLochlainn TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michelle Mulherin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Creed Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Martin Blake Chief Veterinary Officer (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Matt Carthy MEP (European Parliament)

Nessa Childers MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Crowley MEP (European Parliament)

Luke "Ming" Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Marian Harkin MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Hayes MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Mairead McGuinness MEP (European Parliament)

Liadh Ní Riada MEP (European Parliament)