Vet bill injustice (From Western Telegraph)

Vet bill injustice

The case of a Pembrokeshire dairy farmer prosecuted after attempting to cut her vet bill by smuggling in animal medicines from across the Irish Sea, highlights injustices in the European farming system.

Gwendoline Morris bought her animal medicines in southern Ireland and was caught by customs officials when she tried to bring them into Pembrokeshire through the port of Fishguard.

Mrs Morris was tempted to break the law because these medicines were 40% cheaper than their equivalent in this country.

The words 'smuggling' and 'drugs' make the whole affair sound very serious. Surely she was putting in danger the health of UK consumers who would be consuming milk from her herd?

The law came down against her and she was prosecuted for administering unauthorised medicine to cows whose milk was intended for human consumption.

What then are we to make of the huge volumes of Irish beef and dairy products eaten by UK consumers, imported by retailers because they are in some instances cheaper than home-produced food?

This particular case raises a question mark over what is meant to be a fair and open European market.

Pembrokeshire producers have to compete with their European partners and should be entitled to do so from a level playing field.

Gwendoline Morris was trying to lower her costs by sourcing veterinary medicines from southern Ireland, medicines which farmers in that country use routinely on their stock.

She knew she was breaking the law and must therefore accept the consequences.

But why should she and other British farmers have to pay more for their livestock medicines?

The UK Government and the veterinary profession need to address this injustice as a matter of urgency before other farmers find themselves on the wrong side of the law.