Veterinary Ireland has written to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) calling for an intervention into the increased Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) fees imposed on veterinary practitioners.
The VCI has imposed increases on registration fees for veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses, as well as increases in fees for the granting of certificates of suitability (COS) for practice premises under its premises accreditation scheme.
Strong concern has been expressed by veterinary practitioners across the country due to the increases, with some warning that farmers could see increases in their vet bills as a result.
Letters seen by the Irish Farmers Journal sent from Veterinary Ireland to the Minister and the CCPC state: “The VCI is imposing increases in fees for the granting of certificates of suitability (COSs) under its premises accreditation scheme ranging from 103% to 191% over the period of two four-year cycles. These increases are multiples of consumer price index increases over the eight-year period to which the COS licenses apply.
“Regrettably, despite our representations to the VCI on this matter, the VCI has failed to take on board the legitimate concerns of the profession.
"The VCI has also failed to acknowledge the need for it to control its costs in order to prevent the escalating regulatory cost burden it is placing on the veterinary profession,” Veterinary Ireland has written.
In the letter to Minister Heydon, it said: “Veterinary Ireland would appreciate if your Department could request the VCI to review the level of increases in fees it is seeking to impose on the veterinary profession.”
Additionally, in the letter to the CCPC, it stated: “Veterinary Ireland would appreciate if the CCPC could request the VCI to review the level of increases in fees it is seeking to impose on the veterinary profession in the interests of consumers who ultimately bear the costs through charges for veterinary services.”
Read more
Veterinary Ireland calls for review on proposed fee increases by VCI
Vets warn of farmer price hikes on back of fee increases
Veterinary Ireland has written to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) calling for an intervention into the increased Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) fees imposed on veterinary practitioners.
The VCI has imposed increases on registration fees for veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses, as well as increases in fees for the granting of certificates of suitability (COS) for practice premises under its premises accreditation scheme.
Strong concern has been expressed by veterinary practitioners across the country due to the increases, with some warning that farmers could see increases in their vet bills as a result.
Letters seen by the Irish Farmers Journal sent from Veterinary Ireland to the Minister and the CCPC state: “The VCI is imposing increases in fees for the granting of certificates of suitability (COSs) under its premises accreditation scheme ranging from 103% to 191% over the period of two four-year cycles. These increases are multiples of consumer price index increases over the eight-year period to which the COS licenses apply.
“Regrettably, despite our representations to the VCI on this matter, the VCI has failed to take on board the legitimate concerns of the profession.
"The VCI has also failed to acknowledge the need for it to control its costs in order to prevent the escalating regulatory cost burden it is placing on the veterinary profession,” Veterinary Ireland has written.
In the letter to Minister Heydon, it said: “Veterinary Ireland would appreciate if your Department could request the VCI to review the level of increases in fees it is seeking to impose on the veterinary profession.”
Additionally, in the letter to the CCPC, it stated: “Veterinary Ireland would appreciate if the CCPC could request the VCI to review the level of increases in fees it is seeking to impose on the veterinary profession in the interests of consumers who ultimately bear the costs through charges for veterinary services.”
Read more
Veterinary Ireland calls for review on proposed fee increases by VCI
Vets warn of farmer price hikes on back of fee increases
SHARING OPTIONS