Latest news with #Benn
RTÉ News
13 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Laois County Council gives green light for Electric Picnic 2025
Laois County Council has given the green light for the largest ever Electric Picnic festival to take place. The Council has granted the licence to EP Republic Ltd to stage the festival where 80,000 are to attend each day to see the likes of Hozier, Chappell Roan and Becky Hill perform. Last month, Becky Hill was named as the final headliner and joined Sam Fender, Fatboy Slim, and Kings of Leon on the roster. The 80,000 for the 2025 EP - which is expected to cost between €25m to €30m to stage - is a 5,000 increase on the 75,000 tickets that were sold for the 2024 event. EP Republic lodged its licence application in March and the Council has granted the licence for the multistage live music and arts event at Stradbally Hall, Stradbally Estate, subject to 51 conditions. The Council had received a number of submissions calling on the EP promoters to support local businesses. In one of six submissions made to the Council on EP Republic Ltd's application, David Walsh Kemmis of Ballykilcavan Brewing Company, said: "With a view to supporting small local businesses, I would like to see the Council enforce a planning condition that the festival organisers must provide access to the festival for food and drink suppliers based in Laois, even if their product is in competition with a sponsor of the festival". However, in its 29 page planner's report into the licence application, the Council stated that submissions received relate to a number of issues relating to the event supporting locally produced produce and particularly the nearby Ballykilcavan Brewing Company. The report stated that "this matter is outside of the remit of the Local Authority and therefore cannot be dealt with in the Event Licence. The decision to allow or not the Ballykilcavan Brewing Company or any corporate entity to trade at the event is a commercial decision for the promoter." CEO of Electric Picnic, Melvin Benn, said last month that the cost of staging this year's Electric Picnic will be between €25m to €30m. In an interview, Mr Benn said Electric Picnic provides an enormous economic boost to the local economy. He said that every year, EP has "an awful lot of local businesses and local traders that sell at the festival". Mr Benn gave the example of Laois Taste which is a collection of local producers which sell their produce at the Electric Picnic He said that "we work very closely with local traders and I choose the ones that I work with. It is not up to the local authority to say who we work with. We have the freedom to choose who we work with and we exercise that freedom". Tickets for the 2025 EP event went on sale on August 21st last and sold out within hours without any act confirmed at the time. This year's event returns to the traditional last weekend of August where it will run from Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31. The first Electric Picnic was staged on Saturday, September 4 2004 when around 10,000 people attended.
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
New schemes to ease flow of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland
EU rules on the medicines will apply in Northern Ireland from January 1, which will place restrictions on the supply of products from the rest of the UK, with GB suppliers needing to make adaptations to continue to sell into the region. The changes have raised concerns among the veterinary profession that some critical products that vets traditionally source from across the Irish Sea will no longer be available. Government officials have undertaken 18 months of extensive research with the pharmaceutical industry to identify issues, and determined that the problem will not be as significant as some initial predictions, with only a small number of critical medicines – where no alternative is available – being discontinued in Northern Ireland. The Government is introducing two schemes to ensure vets can continue to access these medicines from GB once the grace period ends. The details were outlined in a policy paper published by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Thursday. The Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme pledges to streamline the process of securing the restricted medicines from GB. While vets will be asked to consider if a similar product is available in the EU, they will be able to proceed with purchasing it from GB if they determine the cost or time taken to import it from Europe would be prohibitive. Vets will also be able to pre-emptively secure the medicines so they have stock at hand when required. The requirement for a special import certificate to move the medicines from GB to NI will also be removed. The second initiative, the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme, is being set up to monitor the industry to identify potential discontinuation issues as they emerge and ensure a supply of alternative medicines are made available. While the schemes have not been designed in conjunction with the EU, the Government insists the initiatives will be in full compliance with EU law. Mr Benn outlined the plans in a written ministerial statement. He said ensuring the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland was of 'critical importance'. 'To that end we have seen significant progress as large sections of the pharmaceutical industry have taken and are taking the steps needed to continue to supply veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland,' he said. 'This means that in the vast majority of cases, vets, farmers and pet owners will continue to have access to the medicines they need. But I recognise that even a small disruption could cause real difficulties, and that there are understandable concerns in those limited areas where supply may be disrupted and there are no alternative products authorised or available in Northern Ireland. 'Therefore, the Government is taking further measures to ensure access to veterinary medicines in such cases, as set out in the paper.' Mr Benn added: 'The combination of progress to date on the adaptation by industry and the measures set out in the paper means that the Government is confident that Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy access to the veterinary medicines necessary to protect the health and welfare of animals, and the livelihoods of farmers and veterinary surgeons. 'Further guidance will be issued in due course and we will continue to monitor emerging risks to animal health and veterinary medicine availability. Intensive engagement will continue through 2025 and beyond to address any gaps. 'Where they have yet to do so, we are encouraging the pharmaceutical industry to make any necessary changes as soon as possible.'
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
New schemes to ease flow of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland
EU rules on the medicines will apply in Northern Ireland from January 1, which will place restrictions on the supply of products from the rest of the UK, with GB suppliers needing to make adaptations to continue to sell into the region. The changes have raised concerns among the veterinary profession that some critical products that vets traditionally source from across the Irish Sea will no longer be available. Government officials have undertaken 18 months of extensive research with the pharmaceutical industry to identify issues, and determined that the problem will not be as significant as some initial predictions, with only a small number of critical medicines – where no alternative is available – being discontinued in Northern Ireland. The Government is introducing two schemes to ensure vets can continue to access these medicines from GB once the grace period ends. The details were outlined in a policy paper published by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Thursday. The Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme pledges to streamline the process of securing the restricted medicines from GB. While vets will be asked to consider if a similar product is available in the EU, they will be able to proceed with purchasing it from GB if they determine the cost or time taken to import it from Europe would be prohibitive. Vets will also be able to pre-emptively secure the medicines so they have stock at hand when required. The requirement for a special import certificate to move the medicines from GB to NI will also be removed. The second initiative, the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme, is being set up to monitor the industry to identify potential discontinuation issues as they emerge and ensure a supply of alternative medicines are made available. While the schemes have not been designed in conjunction with the EU, the Government insists the initiatives will be in full compliance with EU law. Mr Benn outlined the plans in a written ministerial statement. He said ensuring the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland was of 'critical importance'. 'To that end we have seen significant progress as large sections of the pharmaceutical industry have taken and are taking the steps needed to continue to supply veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland,' he said. 'This means that in the vast majority of cases, vets, farmers and pet owners will continue to have access to the medicines they need. But I recognise that even a small disruption could cause real difficulties, and that there are understandable concerns in those limited areas where supply may be disrupted and there are no alternative products authorised or available in Northern Ireland. 'Therefore, the Government is taking further measures to ensure access to veterinary medicines in such cases, as set out in the paper.' Mr Benn added: 'The combination of progress to date on the adaptation by industry and the measures set out in the paper means that the Government is confident that Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy access to the veterinary medicines necessary to protect the health and welfare of animals, and the livelihoods of farmers and veterinary surgeons. 'Further guidance will be issued in due course and we will continue to monitor emerging risks to animal health and veterinary medicine availability. Intensive engagement will continue through 2025 and beyond to address any gaps. 'Where they have yet to do so, we are encouraging the pharmaceutical industry to make any necessary changes as soon as possible.'
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
New schemes to ease flow of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland
EU rules on the medicines will apply in Northern Ireland from January 1, which will place restrictions on the supply of products from the rest of the UK, with GB suppliers needing to make adaptations to continue to sell into the region. The changes have raised concerns among the veterinary profession that some critical products that vets traditionally source from across the Irish Sea will no longer be available. Government officials have undertaken 18 months of extensive research with the pharmaceutical industry to identify issues, and determined that the problem will not be as significant as some initial predictions, with only a small number of critical medicines – where no alternative is available – being discontinued in Northern Ireland. The Government is introducing two schemes to ensure vets can continue to access these medicines from GB once the grace period ends. The details were outlined in a policy paper published by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Thursday. The Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme pledges to streamline the process of securing the restricted medicines from GB. While vets will be asked to consider if a similar product is available in the EU, they will be able to proceed with purchasing it from GB if they determine the cost or time taken to import it from Europe would be prohibitive. Vets will also be able to pre-emptively secure the medicines so they have stock at hand when required. The requirement for a special import certificate to move the medicines from GB to NI will also be removed. The second initiative, the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme, is being set up to monitor the industry to identify potential discontinuation issues as they emerge and ensure a supply of alternative medicines are made available. While the schemes have not been designed in conjunction with the EU, the Government insists the initiatives will be in full compliance with EU law. Hilary Benn (Ben Whitley/PA) Mr Benn outlined the plans in a written ministerial statement. He said ensuring the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland was of 'critical importance'. 'To that end we have seen significant progress as large sections of the pharmaceutical industry have taken and are taking the steps needed to continue to supply veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland,' he said. 'This means that in the vast majority of cases, vets, farmers and pet owners will continue to have access to the medicines they need. But I recognise that even a small disruption could cause real difficulties, and that there are understandable concerns in those limited areas where supply may be disrupted and there are no alternative products authorised or available in Northern Ireland. 'Therefore, the Government is taking further measures to ensure access to veterinary medicines in such cases, as set out in the paper.' Mr Benn added: 'The combination of progress to date on the adaptation by industry and the measures set out in the paper means that the Government is confident that Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy access to the veterinary medicines necessary to protect the health and welfare of animals, and the livelihoods of farmers and veterinary surgeons. 'Further guidance will be issued in due course and we will continue to monitor emerging risks to animal health and veterinary medicine availability. Intensive engagement will continue through 2025 and beyond to address any gaps. 'Where they have yet to do so, we are encouraging the pharmaceutical industry to make any necessary changes as soon as possible.'
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Western Telegraph
New schemes to ease flow of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland
EU rules on the medicines will apply in Northern Ireland from January 1, which will place restrictions on the supply of products from the rest of the UK, with GB suppliers needing to make adaptations to continue to sell into the region. The changes have raised concerns among the veterinary profession that some critical products that vets traditionally source from across the Irish Sea will no longer be available. Government officials have undertaken 18 months of extensive research with the pharmaceutical industry to identify issues, and determined that the problem will not be as significant as some initial predictions, with only a small number of critical medicines – where no alternative is available – being discontinued in Northern Ireland. The Government is introducing two schemes to ensure vets can continue to access these medicines from GB once the grace period ends. The details were outlined in a policy paper published by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Thursday. The Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme pledges to streamline the process of securing the restricted medicines from GB. While vets will be asked to consider if a similar product is available in the EU, they will be able to proceed with purchasing it from GB if they determine the cost or time taken to import it from Europe would be prohibitive. Vets will also be able to pre-emptively secure the medicines so they have stock at hand when required. The requirement for a special import certificate to move the medicines from GB to NI will also be removed. The second initiative, the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme, is being set up to monitor the industry to identify potential discontinuation issues as they emerge and ensure a supply of alternative medicines are made available. While the schemes have not been designed in conjunction with the EU, the Government insists the initiatives will be in full compliance with EU law. Hilary Benn (Ben Whitley/PA) Mr Benn outlined the plans in a written ministerial statement. He said ensuring the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland was of 'critical importance'. 'To that end we have seen significant progress as large sections of the pharmaceutical industry have taken and are taking the steps needed to continue to supply veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland,' he said. 'This means that in the vast majority of cases, vets, farmers and pet owners will continue to have access to the medicines they need. But I recognise that even a small disruption could cause real difficulties, and that there are understandable concerns in those limited areas where supply may be disrupted and there are no alternative products authorised or available in Northern Ireland. 'Therefore, the Government is taking further measures to ensure access to veterinary medicines in such cases, as set out in the paper.' Mr Benn added: 'The combination of progress to date on the adaptation by industry and the measures set out in the paper means that the Government is confident that Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy access to the veterinary medicines necessary to protect the health and welfare of animals, and the livelihoods of farmers and veterinary surgeons. 'Further guidance will be issued in due course and we will continue to monitor emerging risks to animal health and veterinary medicine availability. Intensive engagement will continue through 2025 and beyond to address any gaps. 'Where they have yet to do so, we are encouraging the pharmaceutical industry to make any necessary changes as soon as possible.'
