Agriculture Minister Charlie McConaolgue has ignored the legitimate concerns of the co-operative farming sector in his decision to sign the statutory instrument enacting the new EU regulations on veterinary medicines and medicated feed, without adjusting the regulations to ensure fair and reasonable market competition, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has stated.

In its statement, ICOS said, “We express our deep frustration and disappointment with the Minister. His decision will directly damage licensed merchants across Ireland, severely inhibiting their businesses, disadvantaging farmers and undermining a key pillar of rural commerce.

“The Minister’s refusal to allow co-ops and licensed merchants to continue retailing Prescription Only Medicines (POM), and non-prescription medicines including anti-parasitics, will result in significant economic damage to our businesses.

“To date, these medicines may be sold by a veterinary practitioner, pharmacist, or for certain specific products, by a responsible person from a licensed retailer, thereby ensuring a balanced supply chain and a level of open market competition.

“Licensed merchants will now be forced to operate within a high-cost supply route for a market that is predicted to shrink over the next decade, while being completely frozen out of supplying essential products to farmers. This doesn’t just undermine our industry – it directly affects the livelihoods of livestock farmers, who will bear the brunt of reduced competition, reduced accessibility to veterinary products and higher prices.

“Over four years of engagement and negotiations with the Minister and his officials, we have always sought a fair and practical approach to the implementation of these regulations; one that ensures farmers retain access to essential veterinary medicines through multiple channels. Instead, the Minister’s decision rewards scare-mongering by Veterinary Ireland and hands the veterinary profession a near-monopoly on the sale of these products.

“It is incomprehensible that the Minister has cited his reluctance to disrupt current supply routes as the basis for his decision, while simultaneously disrupting the very foundation of licensed merchants’ operations. His approach has favoured a regulatory structure that ensures over 70% of veterinary medicinal products remain directly controlled by veterinary channels, with this number now set to increase further under the new rules.

“This lack of competition is not in the best interest of farmers, who rely on affordable and convenient access to vital products.

“We are particularly aggrieved that, after years of dialogue, the voices of the co-operative farming sector and licensed merchant community have been ignored. The Minister’s approach will unfortunately lead to the potential closure of merchant stores across the country, further limiting farmers’ access to these essential products. This goes against the future sustainability of livestock farming in Ireland.

“This decision will have far-reaching consequences, and its true cost will only become apparent in the years to come. We call on the Minister to consider how the impacts of this unfortunate decision by him can be mitigated before it contributes to irreparable damage to local businesses that directly serve the interests of rural communities.”