THE Veterinary Council of Ireland, the statutory body governing the ethics and education of Irish vets, should be replaced immediately by an ombudsman, a former president of the council said.
Mr Peter Dargan, who is now chairman of the Consumers Association of Ireland, said yesterday that the organisation was too "veterinary centred" and it should concentrate on the rights of the consumer.
He said that on three recent occasions the council had failed to act in defence of the consumer and asked why no action was taken following reports that antibiotic levels in pork were so high.