Ógra Fianna Fáil members have backed a motion calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue to intervene in a new EU regulation that would allow only veterinary practitioners in Ireland sell veterinary medicinal products.
Currently many local farm stores and agri-merchants sell animal medicines such as fluke doses and lice pour-ons.
Ógra Fianna Fáil has proposed that a compromise be reached between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the EU to allow farm stores continue to sell certain animal medicinal products.
‘Our members were unanimous in supporting this motion’
Ógra Fianna Fáil President Tom Cahill said the organisation believes that this regulation will cost many sales reps jobs across the country and that some form of compromise should be reached to protect those jobs.
“Our members were unanimous in supporting this motion. There is a huge risk that this regulation will cost the sector hundreds of sales reps jobs across the country.
In my view and experience it makes no sense and a compromise should be reached to allow these farm stores and sales reps continue selling certain products as is currently the case.
“These people have years of experience in selling these products.”
Ógra Fianna Fáil has written to Minister McConalogue to outline their concerns and proposals.