Veterinary Ireland, the body that represents vets in Ireland, has called on the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) to review the current proposed increases in VCI regulatory fees on veterinary practitioners.

Veterinary Ireland has called on the Minister for Agriculture, under whose remit the VCI falls, to request that the VCI review the level of increases in fees.

Veterinary Ireland has also called on the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to request the VCI to review its proposed increases in fees in the interests of consumers.

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The VCI has proposed an 8.9% increase on annual registration fees for veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses, as well as increases ranging from 103% to 191% in fees for granting for certificates of suitability (COS) for practice premises under its premises accreditation scheme over two four-year cycles.

Veterinary Ireland has said that the proposed increases for the granting of these certificates over two four-year cycles would see the fees per certificate increase from €790 for a four-year license for all classes of premises to:

  • €1,600 for a registered veterinary office.
  • €1,600 for a registered mobile veterinary unit.
  • €1,700 for a registered veterinary clinic.
  • €2,000 for a registered veterinary facility.
  • €2,300 for a registered veterinary hospital.

    • Veterinary Ireland president Eoin Glynn said: “This level of increase in regulatory costs by the VCI is wholly unreasonable, completely at variance with the consumer price index increases over the period and any such increases in costs are ultimately borne by the consumer through increased charges for veterinary services.”