With new EU laws on accessing veterinary medicines due to come into force in five months, NFUS is working to ensure farmers are not unduly restricted from obtaining important medicines.

The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2005 are due to take effect on 30 October, effectively bringing the various EU and UK regulations governing veterinary medicines under one legislative vehicle. The new rules will change the way medicines are supplied.

Of initial concern was the proposal that all medicines would be prescription only, including the 170 routine general sale list (GSL) products such as wormers, which have never required a veterinary prescription before. However, following representation by NFUS and others concerned at the impact of this approach, these proposals have changed. All products will still require to be issued by prescription, however, they can be prescribed by 'suitably qualified individuals', not just vets. For example, agricultural merchants with the required qualifications will still be able to prescribe such products.

There still remain two areas of concern which NFUS has been discussing with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, responsible for implementing the new regulations. Firstly, the proposals would have required products to be collected in person, rather than allowing postal delivery. Secondly, restrictions on advertising would have prevented the general advertising of new products. NFUS has welcomed the approach of the VMD which has recognised both these issues and has committed to address them.

Chairman of the NFUS Livestock Committee is Nigel Miller, a farmer and qualified vet from the Borders:

"Bringing the plethora of existing vet medicines rules and laws under one set of regulations certainly makes sense. However, it is vital for animal health and welfare reasons, that Scottish farmers still have quick, safe and easy access to essential medicines. We argued that the plans to make day-to-day products such as wormers or flukicides prescription-only would add significant cost with no benefit in terms of safer product use. We are pleased the VMD has reached the same conclusion. The extension of the prescription proposals to allow qualified merchants to issue these products, as they do now, is extremely important.

"The issue of postal delivery is a huge one for Scotland, which has a scarcity of veterinary expertise in remote areas and in specific sectors. The VMD has recognised that a general prohibition on posting products is unworkable, and has committed to look at this. NFUS believes the adoption of codes of practice for merchants wishing to post medicines to farmers is a sensible alternative. This provides assurances on the appropriate use of drugs, and crucially, protects animal health in more remote areas of Scotland.

"The proposed advertising limits were over the top. Advertising plays a vital role in raising awareness of problems and treatments. The VMD's plans to amend the draft Regulations on the basis of industry representations is most welcome. Allowing advertising of an educational nature to animal keepers can only benefit Scotland's animal health record. Once the new rules on advertising take effect, there should also be regular reviews to ensure that farmers still have access to right information."