The ownership of veterinary practices bears no influence on the practice of veterinary medicine, CEO and registrar of the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) Niamh Muldoon has said.
She was speaking on the issue of corporate ownership of veterinary practices this week at the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture.
In response to questions from a number of TDs and senators, Muldoon said there has been a huge amount of debate within the VCI on the issue, highlighting that in a consultation of veterinary practitioners, just shy of 60% of those surveyed were against corporate ownership.
Our concern is that the service provided is of a particular standard
“Ownership is not within our legal remit,” Muldoon said, adding that a veterinary practitioner must be on the council’s register and to be able to practice that vet must hold a certificate to practice from premises.
“The standards enjoyed by the agricultural sector will be maintained and the role of the council is to ensure they’re upheld. The Veterinary Council will not be found wanting in any diminution of those standards,” she said.
She added that company structures are not the VCI’s concern. “Our concern is that the service provided is of a particular standard.”
Legislation
In her opening statement, Muldoon said the legal advice received by the VCI was that “the current legislation does not speak to ownership and the council has no legal authority in determining such issues”.
When asked by the committee if the VCI wanted to see changes to the legislation she said: “The council is confident that it can regulate the practice of veterinary medicine under the current regulations.
“The council is not requesting legislative changes at this time. The council has not arrived at a decision where it feels a legislation amendment is needed.”
Response
In response to Muldoon’s comment on ownership bearing no influence on services, Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill said: “I’m not going to swallow that pill.
“We’ve seen this corporate structure gaining ground in other countries. It’s not what we’re used to. You pick up the phone and you ring for a vet, he’ll be in your yard in half an hour.
“To say ownership shouldn’t be controlled, I take issue that the VCI say it has no remit in regard to ownership. Unless there is a remit and strong ethics, the welfare of the animal is going to be put at risk.
“I’m not questioning vets, but corporate ownership won’t put that top of the list. There might be a 24-hour service there, but a call-out would be at an exorbitant fee.
“The Veterinary Council is abdicating its role in terms of ownership,” he said.
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The ownership of veterinary practices bears no influence on the practice of veterinary medicine, CEO and registrar of the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) Niamh Muldoon has said.
She was speaking on the issue of corporate ownership of veterinary practices this week at the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture.
In response to questions from a number of TDs and senators, Muldoon said there has been a huge amount of debate within the VCI on the issue, highlighting that in a consultation of veterinary practitioners, just shy of 60% of those surveyed were against corporate ownership.
Our concern is that the service provided is of a particular standard
“Ownership is not within our legal remit,” Muldoon said, adding that a veterinary practitioner must be on the council’s register and to be able to practice that vet must hold a certificate to practice from premises.
“The standards enjoyed by the agricultural sector will be maintained and the role of the council is to ensure they’re upheld. The Veterinary Council will not be found wanting in any diminution of those standards,” she said.
She added that company structures are not the VCI’s concern. “Our concern is that the service provided is of a particular standard.”
Legislation
In her opening statement, Muldoon said the legal advice received by the VCI was that “the current legislation does not speak to ownership and the council has no legal authority in determining such issues”.
When asked by the committee if the VCI wanted to see changes to the legislation she said: “The council is confident that it can regulate the practice of veterinary medicine under the current regulations.
“The council is not requesting legislative changes at this time. The council has not arrived at a decision where it feels a legislation amendment is needed.”
Response
In response to Muldoon’s comment on ownership bearing no influence on services, Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill said: “I’m not going to swallow that pill.
“We’ve seen this corporate structure gaining ground in other countries. It’s not what we’re used to. You pick up the phone and you ring for a vet, he’ll be in your yard in half an hour.
“To say ownership shouldn’t be controlled, I take issue that the VCI say it has no remit in regard to ownership. Unless there is a remit and strong ethics, the welfare of the animal is going to be put at risk.
“I’m not questioning vets, but corporate ownership won’t put that top of the list. There might be a 24-hour service there, but a call-out would be at an exorbitant fee.
“The Veterinary Council is abdicating its role in terms of ownership,” he said.
Read more
Corporate vet ‘cherry-picking’ profitable farmers
Farm vet service could suffer under Brexit plan – Veterinary Ireland
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