This consultation has received a great deal of interest as the first proposal (there are 20 in all) is to prohibit any direct marketing of antibiotics to farmers, in a bid to reduce the potential development of antibiotic resistance, especially within the new classes of antibiotics.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has said that it disagrees with the VMD's proposal.

"There is no scientific proof of a link between antibiotic resistance and farmer advertising. Vets have the final word on prescribing the most appropriate antibiotic for the animal requiring treatment and the change would reduce the ability of the livestock keeper to keep abreast of new diseases and how to control them."

Another proposal is to develop an accreditation system for online retailers of veterinary medicines. The NFU is supportive of this proposal, providing any additional cost is not loaded onto the retail price, as it feels that this will reduce the risk of farmers unknowingly buying unlicensed medicines from illegal sources.

You can view the VMD consultation documents by clicking here.