DEAR SIR:

In response to the letter from CVO Martin Blake in last week’s edition, the stakeholder group representing the licensed merchants question why his department thinks the task of addressing anti-parasitic resistance must become the prerogative of only the veterinarian?

Over 75% of anti-parasitic medicines are sourced from licensed merchants and pharmacists and the HPRA report makes it clear all stakeholders must take part in resistance management. The role of these valued outlets will be reduced to that of a stockist only, unable to offer advice and choice as farmers will have to provide and pay for a veterinary prescription before being able to buy any anti-parasitic medicine.

Does Mr Blake not realise that alienating the taskforce in the best position to help address resistance and that increasing farmers costs will have the reverse effect? Despite the consultation and protests from cross-party politicians, farming organisations and stakeholders, the Department of Agriculture has not moved from its original intention of putting a windfall of new business into the hands of the vets. The supply industry has offered to self-fund a substantial upskilling programme and set up a new regulatory body to ensure professional, responsible persons can be frontline advisers on resistance and comply with prescribing protocols. What is the point in listening but not hearing concerns raised?

The minister has it in his power to stop this matter right now and ensure anti-parasitic resistance will be addressed by everyone pulling in the same direction to the benefit of livestock farmers and Irish agriculture.