The Veterinary Medicines (Amendments etc.) Regulations 2024: RPC Opinion (Green -rated)
Regulatory Policy Committee opinion on Defra's Veterinary Medicines (Amendments etc.) Regulations 2024 IA
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The proposal covers 259 changes to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (VMR). This includes clarification of existing provisions, introducing new regulations, removing unnecessary regulations and making changes to the fees.
The Department are commended for voluntarily submitting a de minimis assessment (DMA) for independent scrutiny and provides a relatively detailed assessment of impacts, which is not expected for DMAs. The RPC’s comments in this opinion are therefore proportionate to the assessment that was conducted.
The IA has provided a comprehensive breakdown of direct and indirect costs and benefits, but some clarifications are required. Wider impacts could benefit from discussing trade and competition. The Department has committed to a post-implementation review (PIR) five-years after the changes come into force. In addition despite not being required for DMAs, a SaMBA has been included with explanations for why exemptions would not be appropriate and potential mitigations against disproportionate impacts
We understand that the statutory instrument amending the Veterinary Medicines Regulations in respect of Great Britain was laid in draft on 04/03/2024.