ICOS proposes prescription shift

Qualified persons employed by co-operatives should be permitted to prescribe animal remedies, ICOS has recommended to the Department in a submission on its draft animal remedies regulations.

ICOS stated that these prescriptions would be based on the relevant information and detailed professional knowledge that co-ops have of their members’ farms and herd status, built up by their advisory staff under their quality programmes.

Director general John Tyrrell said the ICOS submission stated the draft regulations, if implemented, would not only undermine current high animal welfare and food quality standards in the sector, but would also reduce competition and significantly increase the cost of animal medicines.