§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission a study on the efficacy of marketing animals(a) over the internet and (b) via video link in reducing (i) the cost, (ii) animal suffering and (iii) infection risks of livestock markets. [12283]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 2 November 2001]: It is for farmers to decide how best to market their animals, taking account of costs and animal health and welfare requirements. We are aware of various initiatives by auctioneers to hold video and internet sales and that these have met with a degree of success. Such initiatives are to be welcomed as they provide another option for farmers to market their animals and we will watch developments with interest.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what response her Department has made to the European Commission's proposal to reclassify medicines for food-producing animals as prescription-only medicines; and what592W assessment she has made of the consequence for (a) animal health and (b) the agricultural and equine veterinary medicine supply industry. [14063]
§ 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 control of both human and veterinary medicines in the EU. In its present form this particular proposal could result in UK farmers having to pay more by incurring veterinary surgeons' fees when obtaining those medicines that are currently available without veterinary intervention. This may deter farmers from seeking appropriate treatment. Furthermore, the proposal 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 has 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.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessments she has made of the proposals by the European Commission that medicines for food-producing animals will become prescription only medicines; and if she will make a statement on the consequences of this proposal for rural agricultural businesses. [13860]
§ 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 control of both human and veterinary medicines in the EU. In its present form this particular proposal could result in UK farmers 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 has 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.