Alliance flags potential carnage for merchants, and disadvantage for farmers

Merchants Alliance Ireland, representing the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), Irish Licensed Merchants Association (ILMA) and Acorn Independent Merchants, says that Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD has so far not responded to requests to meet regarding the proposed Statutory Instrument (SI) which will reclassify all anti-parasitic veterinary medicines as Prescription Only Medicines (POM).
Collectively representing over 550 agri-business outlets and more than 4,000 employees across Ireland, the Alliance warned that many of these businesses face imminent closure unless the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, suspends the SI for now and engages with
the sector immediately.
“We are deeply disappointed by the Minister’s apparent unwillingness to meet. His decision to proceed with this SI, as currently drafted, will effectively legislate hundreds of licensed merchants and co-operatives out of existence within weeks,” the Alliance said.
Despite multiple requests, no meeting has been granted, and no new prescribing guidance has been issued by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) or the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Meanwhile, the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) remains largely unused by the veterinary community, further compounding the operational paralysis now facing merchant outlets.
“The Minister appears to be ignoring some five years of constructive engagement and reasonable proposals to retain a fair and balanced supply chain. Instead, this SI rewards fear-mongering and effectively hands veterinary interests a near-monopoly on vital animal health products,” the Alliance
stated.
The reclassification of anti-parasitics to POM status will mean licensed retailers can no longer legally supply these essential products unless directly prescribed by a veterinarian – a process that remains logistically and economically unworkable under current systems.
“This will not just be a blow to our businesses; it is an attack on rural commerce and farmer livelihoods. Farmers will ultimately pay the price through reduced access, reduced service, and increased costs,” the Alliance warned.
The Alliance says specifically the result will be:
 Closure of licensed agri-retail outlets
 Job losses in rural Ireland
 Reduced competition and service availability for farmers
 Greater market control by a single profession at the expense of open access

The Alliance pointed out that historically, anti-parasitics were accessible via licensed merchants operating under strict regulatory oversight. This ensured competitive pricing, wide distribution and professional accountability – all of which now stand to be dismantled under the incoming regulation.
“Merchants Alliance Ireland is urgently seeking a meeting with Minister Heydon to convey our sincere and urgent concerns for a reassessment of how anti-parasitics are regulated under EU legislation in an Irish context. We need a workable, multi-channel distribution model that protects farmers, respects
regulatory compliance and preserves the viability of the licensed merchant network. Otherwise, there will be carnage for our sector.
“We have requested very respectfully to meet the Minister and await a concrete reply. As it stands, the Minister’s plan risks irreparable damage to Ireland’s rural economy and agricultural infrastructure.”