The introduction of new veterinary medicine rules last December landed a blow to co-ops' margins that could see them having to pull products off shelves, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has claimed.
ICOS livestock executive Ray Doyle said that while administering the new veterinary medicine prescription “has generally worked well”, co-ops have suffered a “significant” hit to their bottom line.
“Many co-ops have experienced a very substantial reduction in veterinary medicine sales since the regulations came into effect, although this has been influenced to some extent by farmers purchasing stock ahead of the 1 December implementation date,” Doyle said.
“Increased costs associated with the prescribing process, combined with reduced sales volumes, have significantly eroded retail margins.
Concern
“Without changes to the current system, there is a real and genuine concern that many co-operative stores will no longer be in a position to continue retailing veterinary medicines over the coming years.”
ICOS has said that it sees an opportunity to strengthen animal health in Ireland by improving access to vaccines, stating that vaccines should be made available to farmers through the same prescriptions regime as is in place for antiparasitics.
SHARING OPTIONS