Press release
Minister McConalogue confirms approach to new veterinary medicines regulations
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Charlie McConalogue TD, has set out a roadmap for the implementation of new EU wide Veterinary Medicinal Regulation 2019/6, which will come into effect on the 28th January 2022.
The Minister said that
“Whilst the regulations enter into force on 28th January, in response to the concerns of a number of stakeholders on related matters, I have decided to defer implementation of one aspect – that anti-parasitic medicines can only be supplied on foot of a veterinary prescription – until 1st June 2022. This will enable all stakeholders make the necessary business and/or infrastructural adjustments that will ensure compliance with the Regulations. The Regulations will apply in full, from 1st June 2022.”
The Minister also announced that while the new National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) will be in place as planned for the end of January, he will also delay its mandatory use for this same period. This requirement is a national measure.
The new veterinary medicines regulations are focused on ensuring increased availability of veterinary medicines across the EU, as well as addressing the key societal One Health One Welfare challenges of anti-microbial resistance, as well as anti-parasitic resistance.
The clear roadmap as decided by the Minister is as follows:
1. The Regulations come into effect on the 28th of January.
2. The new requirements regarding the prescribing of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, and medicated feed, will come into effect on that date.
3. The requirement to only supply anti-parasitic medicines on foot of a veterinary prescription is deferred for a four-month period – until 1st June 2022. A prescription will not be required for such products until that date.
4. The national mandatory requirement to use the NVPS is deferred until 1st June 2022. Veterinary practitioners can continue to issue paper-based prescriptions in the current format until then.
5. The NVPS will be available for voluntary use by vets from the end of January onwards – to ensure that prescribers and dispensers are familiar with the system when its use becomes compulsory.
6. Prescriptions issued by vets for anti-parasitic medicines after 1st June will be valid for a maximum period of 12-months. Antiparasitic medicines can then be purchased by the farmer from his preferred supplier at the appropriate time throughout the period that the prescription is valid
7. From 1st June 2022, the Regulations will be applied in full.
The Minister also announced that
“I am in the process of finalising a proposal to introduce a large-scale Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) programme specifically focused on parasite control on farms in 2022. The development of a structured parasite control plan is critical to addressing the increasing challenge of anti-parasite resistance. This measure will allow farmers engage a specifically trained vet to provide advice on parasite control measures in their herd, at no cost to the farmer”.
The Minister further confirmed that once a farmer has a relationship with a vet, that vet can prescribe in line with guidance provide by the Veterinary Council of Ireland with its soon to be published Code of Professional Conduct. A farmer can have a relationship with more than one vet. The Minister also confirmed that he is examining the issue of interchangeable anti-parasitics and how best to serve the industry. He said more information on this will be made available in the coming weeks.
In concluding, the Minister confirmed that he has made these amendments in order to assist farmers, vets, pharmacists and licensed merchants transitioning to the new regulations stating,
“I recognise that the new veterinary medicines regulation mark a significant step-change for farmers, vets, pharmacists and licensed merchants – all of whom have, and will, play a key role in upkeeping the health of our livestock. I have consulted widely and listened to a range of voices on the topic and I believe the steps I have outlined will ensure that we address the challenge of anti-microbial and anti-parasitic resistance, support the health and welfare of our livestock, thus improving productivity, that farmers continue to have access to a range of sales’ points thus helping competition and that licensed merchants will continue to be a trusted source for animal health products.”