The next item is Veterinary Medicinal Products. Deputy Noonan is Chairman of this Sub-Committee.

These draft Directives are concerned with the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to veterinary medicinal products. I understand that the testing of the products in question is likely to be adopted by the Council very shortly. Paragraph 3 of the report outlines proposals and paragraph 5 gives the views of the Committee following consideration by them and discussion with the relevant bodies listed in the final paragraph of the report. The importance of our agricultural industry is expressed and the Committee accept the principle on which the proposals are based.

We feel, however, that the proposed control system is over-elaborate for Irish conditions. We also had fears about possible effects on farming costs. We now understand that the adoption of the directive is not in itself likely to affect farming costs substantially. In paragraphs 9 and 10 we express our opposition to a suggested limitation concerning preparations specially compounded by a veterinary surgeon and prohibition of administration to animals, without special authority, of medicines acceptable for humans.

That would be unworkable.

In paragraphs 11 and 12 we comment on specific points raised by the interested parties who made comments on the draft directives and on the parties who gave their comments to the Sub-Committee.

This is a very important area and it is one where the public would like to see a reasonable number of regulations. I appreciate what the Chairman of the Sub-Committee has said about not increasing costs. Any person who has a responsible attitude towards our milk, beef and other products would naturally be concerned about the administration and use of antibiotics throughout the industry. I would certainly welcome more standardisation and control of the methods. It is not possible in this short time to get a full insight into the measures that are ultimately proposed here but some further measures would be welcome.

Care should certainly be taken in the use of antibiotics. I would not like anything that we have to say in our recommendations to give the false impression that there were high levels of residues of these antibiotics in Irish milk or meat. A fairly comprehensive survey indicated that we had the lowest level in Europe of residues from the use of these antibiotics.

The question is one more or less of certification, registration and that sort of thing.

Paragraphs 1 to 14, inclusive, agreed to.

Draft Report agreed to.

Ordered: To report accordingly.