§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking on the EU' s proposals to make veterinary medicines dependent on prescription; and what assessment she has made of their impact in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [20949]
§ Mr. MorleyThis proposal forms part of a much wider set of proposals produced by the European Commission to amend the procedures for the authorisation and control498W of both human and veterinary medicines in the EU. This particular proposal concerns veterinary medicines for use in food-producing animals. In its present form it could result in farmers in England, Wales and Scotland, having to pay more by incurring veterinary surgeons' fees when obtaining those medicines that are currently available without veterinary intervention. Furthermore, it could restrict the number and types of veterinary medicines that may be supplied by registered agricultural merchants and saddlers, to a limited range of products for dogs and cats. This could have significant adverse effects on those businesses.
In considering the proposal the Government have taken account of its likely impact on the supply of veterinary medicines and have agreed that, during negotiations, UK officials should seek to modify the proposal to enable a flexible approach to the distribution of veterinary medicinal products that takes advantage of existing national practices, so long as consumer protection and animal welfare can be demonstrably assured.