Price fears over EU vet drugs plan

23 July 2001



Price fears over EU vet drugs plan

By FWi staff

FARMERS leaders have expressed concerns over an EU Commission proposal to make veterinary medicines available on prescription only.

The EU proposal is part of a wide-ranging review of EU pharmaceuticals legislation.

The Farmers Union of Wales claims that prescription only medicines for farm animals will lead to higher prices.

“Welsh farmers already pay more for veterinary medicines than farmers in the other EU countries and this proposal will push costs up even further,” said FUW deputy president Gareth Vaughan.

He said the biggest impact would be felt in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands where many veterinary medicines are available over the counter.

They can be bought at agricultural suppliers under the Prescribed Merchants List.

Products include wormers, sheep dip and iron injections for piglets.

The European Federation for Animal Health (FEDESA) has already opposed the prescription-only proposal, according to the FUW.

“Any move to increase the existing huge gap in the price of animal medicines between the UK and the rest of the EU countries will be totally unacceptable,” said Mr Vaughan.

• Drugs crackdown, FWi, 13 October 2000
• EU to curb use of feed antibiotics, FWi, 01 June 1999