Consultation to increase vet charges unveiled

Proposals to increase charges to the farming industry for the collection and analysis of samples for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's statutory veterinary residues surveillance programme have been unveiled today.

The proposed increase in charges, outlined in a consultation paper, represent the first rise for the red meat sector since 1995 and the first increase for eggs, milk and fish sectors since they were included in statutory surveillance in 1998. The increases are driven by the increased costs of sampling and analysis and inflation.

The surveillance scheme needs an increase in charges if the VMD is to meet its annual Ministerial target for cost recovery from the industry.

If adopted, the increase in charges will come into effect from July 1, 2004.