The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area EU Affairs

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details EU Veterinary Medicines Regulation

Intended results EU Veterinary Medicines Regulation - In relation to the categorisation of anthelmintics, Ireland previously availed of the derogation to exempt these products from the POM category, facilitating the sale of these products by Responsible Persons in Licensed Merchants and by pharmacists without a veterinary prescription. Following an assessment by the Health Products Regulatory Authority of these products for compliance with the derogation criteria it was found they no longer meet the exemption criteria and will therefore become POM in Ireland in 2022. This has placed Irish farmers at a competitive disadvantage and created what will be a two-tier supply system on the island of Ireland if not addressed. In addition, meaningful competition will be removed in the supply of these products along with key stakeholders who could play a very positive role in ensuring these products are used appropriately and only when necessary on farms. The UK secured a derogation in the new Regulation which provides for the continuation of the system they currently operate, which effectively means farmers in Northern Ireland will be able to source their anthelmintics without a veterinary prescription while farmers in the south will be required to source a veterinary prescription before they can purchase their requirements of anthelmintics. It is vital, recognition of the system that pertained in Ireland is achieved and the prescribing of anthelmintics is facilitated by Suitably Qualified Persons in Licensed Merchants to maintain the involvement of the maximum number of stakeholders in the provision of advice and guidance and the supply of products. The ban on prophylactic use of antibiotics raises serious concerns for farmers in protecting the health, welfare and productive capacity of their animals in the absence of viable and effective alternatives. It is of critical importance this issue is dealt with in a practical and logical manner recognising the professional competencies of farmers and the advances in analytical tools that allow for well-informed treatment decisions without undue cost and bureaucracy.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, 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.

Email (6-10)

Letter (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.

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

Mairead McGuinness MEP (European Parliament)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)