NFU Calls For Simplified Medicines Market
UK - National Farmers Union vice president, Gwyn Jones, has called for a simplified veterinary medicines market to give farmers better access to products at lower prices.
16 June 2011
1 minute read
Speaking at the International Federation of Animal Health (IFAH) conference in Brussels today, 16 June, Mr Jones said divergent laws for the approval and registration of products across Europe were making it difficult for farmers to access vital medicines.
He said: "Farmers need access to vet medicines to ensure the welfare of their animals.
"But with different rules across the EU it is often a difficult and complex procedure to obtain products from other Member States, which can push the price up, and there is little transparency in the regulatory procedure.
"Instead we want a common market where vet medicines are controlled under one EU regulation, approved through one European scientific procedure and authorised once for the EU market.
"This will cut out unnecessary costs and paperwork and leave more money and resources in the pot for research and innovation to benefit livestock, farmers and consumers," Mr Jones said.
The NFU vice president was speaking to an audience that included EU Health Commissioner, John Dalli, who is currently reviewing Europe's existing veterinary regulations.
Commissioner Dalli opened the conference by stressing the importance of an EU integrated approach to veterinary medicines, biosecurity and good farm management to ensure confidence in the food supply chain.
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