Following my previous letter last week l have had many fruitful and eye opening perspectives with farming, veterinary, and merchant communities and it has become evident that my previous letter may have not included several key complexities surrounding the new statutory instrument (SI) governing veterinary practices.
The proposed decoupling of veterinary services from medicine sales, while seemingly fair and well-intentioned, may not serve the best interests of any party involved. This policy change could lead to increased expenses for farmers and exacerbate existing challenges for veterinarians.
Currently, veterinary charges are kept relatively low due to the supplementary revenue generated from medicine sales. Removing this revenue stream may force veterinarians to raise their service fees, placing additional financial strain on farmers who are already operating on tight margins.
Veterinary services
The situation with large animal vets is particularly concerning. With approximately 600 vets serving 130,000 farmers without any out of hours state support, the system is already under significant pressure. These veterinarians often work 70 hours per week without statutory working rights to protect them from burnout.
The rising costs associated with decoupling medicine sales from veterinary services may make out-of-hours services unfeasible, impacting farmers more severely than any potential fee increase.
Moreover, tightening rules around animal welfare, such as Bord Bia’s calf death threshold, could have unintended consequences. Increased scrutiny on vaccine and drug purchases particularly in the case of dairy farmers who are supplying a cooperative could entangle farmers in more red tape, potentially coercing them into buying vaccines for issues they may not face.
This will lead to unnecessary expenditures and increased administrative burdens, further complicating the already challenging landscape of modern farming.
While the intentions behind the new regulations are commendable, aiming to ensure fair practices and enhance animal welfare, a more balanced approach is needed. Policymakers must consider the practical implications for all stakeholders involved and strive to create a system that supports both animal health and the agricultural economy.
It is crucial to engage in further dialogue with the farming and veterinary communities to develop a solution that addresses their concerns while achieving the desired regulatory outcomes.
From Daniel Long, Co. Tipperary