Fears over economic impact as vets back new animal medicine rules

Farmers fear they may face increased costs and lose key service providers

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Regulatory Impact Assessment of the EU rules is under way. File Picture.  

A war of words over impending animal medicine rule changes has escalated, with the representative body of veterinary surgeons saying distance prescribing of antimicrobials leads to imprudent and excessive use, often a blanket approach, and rarely with follow-up on usage and success of treatment.

And the current unrestricted sale of antiparasitic medicines is unsustainable, according to Veterinary Ireland.