Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to lay the regulations on forest risk commodities; and if the regulations will subject to affirmative procedure.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government introduced new due diligence legislation through the Environment Act to help tackle illegal deforestation in UK supply chains. We will operationalise these provisions through secondary legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. The regulations will be subject to the affirmative procedure.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will include experts on migratory species from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee among the UK delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28 UAE).
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Joint Nature Conservation Committee staff, including experts on migratory species, are not part of the UK Government delegation to United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28. Joint Nature Conservation Committee staff will remotely provide scientific advice in advance and in real time as requested by the delegation and support side events online in the US Pavilion and the Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Joint Nature Conservation Committee staff have also provided pre-recorded videos to the UK Overseas Territories Association to support their side event in the UK Pavilion.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their most recent assessment of the availability of food to meet demand over the Christmas season; and what discussions they have held with major supermarkets in relation to (1) current food availability, (2) any prior expectations of food shortages and how these have been revised.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response, and it is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Our high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes.
Defra has well established ways of working with industry, including major retailers, and across Government. These include regular meetings with industry and their representative bodies, and the department will continue to use these channels of communication to monitor and respond to any risks that may arise. As things stand, we do not expect substantive availability of food issues in the run up to Christmas.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to reduce, and (2) to eliminate, sea bottom trawling in UK waters.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is at the forefront of marine protection, demonstrated through the establishment of a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to ensure greater protection of our seas. Defra is continuing to work with fishermen to develop ways to reduce the impact of fishing gear on the seabed, while still allowing the industry to remain profitable.
For example, 98 MPAs in inshore waters have management measures in place to protect sensitive features from bottom towed fishing gears. Using new powers introduced by the Fisheries Act 2020, the Marine Management Organisation has recently concluded the first in a series of consultations on measures for offshore MPAs, which again seek to reduce the impact of bottom trawling.
The Fisheries Act also includes a commitment to develop domestic Fisheries Management Plans to ensure UK fisheries are managed sustainably. These will consider the wider impact of gears used to target stocks.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress in implementing the recommendations of the 2003 Competition Commission Report on supply of Veterinary Medicines; and what the implementation outcome is for each of the recommendations, including reasoning for those that have not been implemented.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
All recommendations were implemented.
1 & 9
The Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) provide four distribution categories, based on the perceived risk of a veterinary medicine and striking the right balance between appropriate controls and availability.
'Prescription Only Medicines - Veterinarian' (POM-V) require prescribing by a vet for animals under their care, following clinical assessment. POM-V covers those products containing narcotic or psychotropic substances or requiring veterinary diagnosis/clinical assessment. Clients may request a prescription which can be dispensed elsewhere.
'POM - Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person' (POM-VPS) and 'Non-Food Animal-VPS' products can be prescribed and/or supplied by vets, pharmacists or SQPs; without clinical assessment but with point-of-sale advice.
'Authorised Veterinary Medicine - General Sales List' category covers products with safety profiles allowing distribution across a range of retailers.
7
The distribution category is assessed during the veterinary medicine application procedure. Factors considered in deciding the category include the need for clinical diagnosis, point-of-sale advice, administration route, nature of the product/active substance and safety profile. Cost is not considered as the scope is limited to the safety of the product for both the animal and people handling the product.
8 & 3
The EU centralised procedure is compulsory for products containing a new active substance, constituting significant therapeutic/scientific/technical innovation, or where a marketing authorisation (MA) is in the interest of animal health at EU level. These products are classified 'Prescription-Only' as their novelty represents an increased risk. The UK had the flexibility to assign one of its distribution categories, based on increased knowledge of the product's safety profile. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol the EU centralised system will still apply in Northern Ireland.
5
The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) reviewed products over seven categories, recommending the appropriate distribution category. In some cases, this required removal of indications to support the products being more freely available via a lower distribution classification.
6
MA holders can apply to change the category. This will be considered by the VPC unless they previously advised on category changes for comparable products.
4
The VMD may grant, without requiring a full dossier, an MA for an EU-authorised medicine for import into the UK under Parallel Import provisions, provided the applicant demonstrates it is identical to a UK-authorised medicine for food-producing species, or therapeutically identical to a UK-authorised medicine for companion animals. The VMD requests a detailed description of the product's intended re-labelling.
10
An MA is initially valid for five years, after which it may be renewed upon re-evaluation of the risk-benefit balance. Once renewed, the MA is valid indefinitely unless pharmacovigilance raises concerns.
11
The VMD publishes standards and transparent targets around the assessment processes - something recognised and welcomed by industry. The VMD encourages companies to consult on their proposed MA application, particularly for exceptional MAs, prior to submission or during the process itself. After EU Exit the VMD introduced additional MA options - national-only or in parallel with an EU application to better utilise company resources.
2
The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct contains a chapter on fair trading requirements. This includes provision of information on medicine prices.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Veterinary Medicines Directorate are taking to draw to the attention of veterinary surgeons the acute dangers to cats of a repeat injection dose of Metacam (Meloxicam).
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There are three Metacam products authorised for use in cats in the UK:
- Metacam 5 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs and cats
- Metacam 2mg/ml solution for injection for cats
- Metacam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for cats and guinea pigs
All three products already include warnings relating to renal failure and therefore veterinary surgeons in the UK are aware of the risk of renal failure with the use of Metacam in cats.
In 2019, the marketing authorisation holder for Metacam was requested to provide an analysis of all cases of renal failure and death in cats. The company provided data comparing the use of the product and the frequency of cases in the United States (US) with those in the EU. This demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of off-label use (use of the product not in accordance with the product information), renal failure and fatalities in the US compared with the EU. Vets are allowed to use veterinary medicinal products off-label in certain circumstances. However, the Metacam data does not indicate that the incidence of such use is as prevalent in the EU or the UK as in the US. It was concluded that vets in the EU and UK were already aware of the risks of renal failure with off-label use and the product information included sufficient warnings relating to the correct use and associated risks. The company was requested to continue specifically to monitor cases of renal failure in cats.
Based on a review of the data over the past 10 years, the incidence of renal failure in the UK following use of Metacam in cats has gradually decreased from one in 200,000 to one in a million, supporting the view that vets are now even more aware of the risks associated with off-label use.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate will continue to consider the scientific evidence to inform further action as required and the consistency of product information and warnings for all meloxicam products.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the US Food and Drug Administration including boxed warning labels on Metacam (Meloxicam) due to the risks associated with acute renal failure and death in cats, what steps they are taking to ensure similar warnings are in place on all boxes of Metacam sold to vets in the UK.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There are three Metacam products authorised for use in cats in the UK:
- Metacam 5 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs and cats
- Metacam 2mg/ml solution for injection for cats
- Metacam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for cats and guinea pigs
All three products already include warnings relating to renal failure and therefore veterinary surgeons in the UK are aware of the risk of renal failure with the use of Metacam in cats.
In 2019, the marketing authorisation holder for Metacam was requested to provide an analysis of all cases of renal failure and death in cats. The company provided data comparing the use of the product and the frequency of cases in the United States (US) with those in the EU. This demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of off-label use (use of the product not in accordance with the product information), renal failure and fatalities in the US compared with the EU. Vets are allowed to use veterinary medicinal products off-label in certain circumstances. However, the Metacam data does not indicate that the incidence of such use is as prevalent in the EU or the UK as in the US. It was concluded that vets in the EU and UK were already aware of the risks of renal failure with off-label use and the product information included sufficient warnings relating to the correct use and associated risks. The company was requested to continue specifically to monitor cases of renal failure in cats.
Based on a review of the data over the past 10 years, the incidence of renal failure in the UK following use of Metacam in cats has gradually decreased from one in 200,000 to one in a million, supporting the view that vets are now even more aware of the risks associated with off-label use.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate will continue to consider the scientific evidence to inform further action as required and the consistency of product information and warnings for all meloxicam products.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the (1) British Veterinary Association, and (2) Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, about possible diminution of veterinary care in veterinary companies owned by private equity firms concerned with maximising profits instead of making animal health and welfare their first consideration.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Anyone practising as a veterinary surgeon, regardless of the ownership of the practice, needs to be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and has a duty to provide care ensuring that animal health and welfare is their first consideration. Any concerns about the ownership or commercial practices of businesses should be directed to the Competition and Markets Authority.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to investigate the takeover of private veterinary practices by private equity firms with no veterinary qualifications and allegations of profiteering.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Anyone practising as a veterinary surgeon, regardless of the ownership of the practice, needs to be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and has a duty to provide care ensuring that animal health and welfare is their first consideration. Any concerns about the ownership or commercial practices of businesses should be directed to the Competition and Markets Authority.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports of private equity companies purchasing veterinary practices to turn them into "cash-generating units", whether they will hold urgent discussions with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons about amending their Code of Conduct to apply to commercial companies running veterinary practices.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Anyone practising as a veterinary surgeon, regardless of the ownership of the practice, needs to be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and has a duty to provide care ensuring that animal health and welfare is their first consideration. Any concerns about the ownership or commercial practices of businesses should be directed to the Competition and Markets Authority.