Dr. ThomasTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress towards European Community harmonisation of veterinary medicine licensing and distribution.
§ Mr. MacGregorCommon rules making the issue of licences for many veterinary medicinal products conditional upon a satisfactory assessment of safety, quality and efficacy were established in 1981. In February this year the Council received from the Commission proposals to extend the scope of these rules, and to harmonise the records which distributors are required to keep. The distribution system itself would not be affected. An explanatory memorandum (4228/89) has been submitted to the Scrutiny Committee, and I have also asked interested bodies to let me know their views.