Committee says Farmers must have ready access to Health products for Animals - UK - The NFU today welcomed the decision of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee that farmers should continue to have the right to buy vitamins, minerals and wormers for their animals without the need for a veterinary prescription.

The Committee on Thursday voted for the amendment to be reinstated into EU legislation currently being formulated regarding the sale of animal medicines.

It follows intense lobbying by the NFU in conjunction with the Animal Health Alliance.

The UK is one of only a handful of countries where such products can be dispensed through suitably qualified distributors.

Without the amendment, UK farmers would in future need to call in a vet each time these basic medicines and feed supplements were needed.

NFU Animal Health and Welfare Strategy spokesman Neil Cutler said: “We are pleased that the Environment Committee has accepted our argument that where a system of dispensing some medicines by licensed qualified merchants is in place, this should be allowed to continue.

“We are confident that the full parliament and the Council will

accept that while there is a need for regulation, this important facility should be maintained.“

The amended EC Community Code Relating to Veterinary Medicinal Products will now go before the full European Parliament – possibly later this month or early in the New Year. The directive must then be approved by the EU Council.

Source: National Farmers Union - 2nd December 2003