Local MP Simon Hart is taking farmers' concerns over a drugs advertising ban to the highest level.

New European rules mean that the direct advertising of antibiotics will be banned from December.

The new legislation is meant to protect the "general public" from advertising for prescription-only medicine. It means that industry publications, such as farming magazines, won't be able to publish adverts for medicines.

"But I would argue that farmers are not the "general public" but professional keepers of animals and as such need to make informed choices," said Mr Hart.

"They need to know about existing and new medicines and how to use them correctly.

"I am worried that this is just the start of a slippery slope and that advertising for other medical products such as vaccines will follow.

"I have had a number of letters and calls on this issue from concerned farmers and I am now collating their information to hand to the Agriculture Minister Jim Paice in the autumn."

*If you would like to be included in Simon's dossier for Agriculture Minister Jim Paice then send him your concerns at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 15 St John Street, Whitland, Carmarthenshire SA34 OAN.