VETERINARY Ireland has voiced serious concerns in respect of recent and “very significant changes” by the Veterinary Council of Ireland to the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners, relating to the ownership of veterinary practices and the practice of veterinary medicine.

The issue was brought to the fore by our sister paper the Irish Farmers Journal this week which revealed that UK venture capitalist companies have been approaching a number of Irish veterinary practices seeking investment opportunities.

Venture capitalists have been acquiring businesses in Northern Ireland with small animal clinics or single-vet practices being preferred. It’s understood that many large practices nationwide are now being sized up by overseas corporate interests. Farmers are concerned that any switch away from independently-owned Irish veterinary practices will threaten out-of-hours veterinary services with some UK corporate-controlled practices only committing to get to a farm call-out within three hours. Such a move would also hit horse owners dealing with colic, foaling and trauma cases.

URGENT MEETNG

An urgent meeting is being sought by Veterinary Ireland with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, to intervene and ensure that veterinary services to the public and agri-food sector are maintained nationwide and on a 24/7 basis.

Veterinary Ireland issued a statement on Thursday saing: “The Veterinary Council of Ireland made these changes unilaterally, without any consultation with stakeholders. Veterinary Ireland is concerned that these changes are contrary to the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 and about the impact that these changes would have for animal health and welfare, as well as the impact for the veterinary profession.

“Veterinary Ireland has sought urgent clarification from the Veterinary Council of Ireland on the meaning and implications of a new provision in the Code, and is considering a legal challenge if it is apparent that the Veterinary Council intends to apply a change contrary to the Veterinary Practice Act 2005.”