§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department have taken to safeguard and warn British farmers of the danger of using animal medicines obtained from pirate importers and distributors, since evidence of safety and quality of imported medicines are not submitted to the Veterinary Products Safety Precautions Scheme.
§ Mr. John MackieNone. The Veterinary Products Safety Precautions Scheme is concerned with safety and applies to imported as well as home produced products for direct sale to farmers. It does not apply to products subject to other appropriate controls; thus imports of vaccine and sera for veterinary purposes are permitted under licence in accordance with the Diseases of Animals (Therapeutic Substances) Order, 1952, and the sale, supply, dispensing and administration of most antibiotics are controlled by Part II of the Therapeutic Substances Act, 1956. However, if the hon. Member would let me have details of any evasion of these controls I shall be glad to consider the evidence.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to the Irish Government to stop illegal entry into this country of animal medicines.
§ Mr. John MackieNone, but if the hon. Member has any specific evidence relating to illegal practices, I shall be glad to look into the matter.