HC Deb 06 November 1995 vol 265 cc540-1W
Sir Terence Higgins

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the additional cost of treating various kinds of sick animals by PDSA dispensaries as a result of European Union legislation. [39360]

Mrs. Browning

The PDSA has represented that changes to United Kingdom law made by the Medicines (Restrictions on the Administration of Veterinary Medicinal Products) Regulations 1994 to implement EC legislation will increase the cost of treating companion animals. These regulations contain provisions which had already passed into good veterinary practice in the UK, by means of the British Veterinary Association's code of practice for the prescribing of medicinal products, introduced in 1991. Following a recent meeting between officials from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the director general of the PDSA at which these issues were discussed and clarified, we have been able to give assurances which should ensure that that the PDSA does not incur additional costs as a result of the application of the regulations.