IFA national animal health chair Pat Farrell has criticised the inaction by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed in addressing the issues around veterinary services in Ireland.

The IFA has raised this issue since 2017, with some farmers now exposed to veterinary call-out fees of up to €500.

Farrell said the recent change of ownership of a veterinary practice in Donegal has seen that company quoting €500 for an out-of-hours call-out service. The IFA has again called on the minister to conduct an urgent review of large animal veterinary services.

The minister must ensure the structure and supports are in place to provide all farmers with a competitive large animal veterinary service at reasonable charges

Farrell said that, since 2017, the IFA has highlighted the threat to competitive large animal veterinary services for farmers throughout the country and the need for a review of all components of the service.

Farrell said: “The minister must ensure the structure and supports are in place to provide all farmers with a competitive large animal veterinary service at reasonable charges.”

He said the provision of a competitive large animal veterinary service is a complex issue, with multiple factors affecting the diminishing service to farmers.

This issue can only be addressed by reviewing all components that contribute to the service.

These include the pathways to qualification for vets, the obligations set by the Veterinary Council (VCI), the unique nature of the service required by farmers, the demographics of the farm, animal population and the extremely low income of farmers who depend on this service.

Farrell said the Minister for Agriculture and the VCI have a huge role to play in this area and they are jointly failing farmers by their inaction.

Unjustifiable charges

He said it is unacceptable for the minister to stand idly by and allow the situation evolve to where farmers are exposed to the unjustifiable charges being quoted by one veterinary practice in Donegal.