Latest news with #veterinaryMedicines
Irish Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Supply risk identified for some UK animal medicines shipped to North
Vets, farmers and pet owners in Northern Ireland will continue to have post- Brexit access to animal medicines from the UK in the 'vast majority of cases', the UK government has said. However, it warned of a 'risk of disruption' remaining for a small number of critical products. The comments were contained in a policy paper on Britain's approach to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, published by Northern Secretary, Hilary Benn, on Thursday. From January 1st, 2026, veterinary medicines from Britain distributed in Northern Ireland must comply with EU rules agreed between London and Brussels as part of the Windsor Framework . READ MORE Concerns had been raised by vets and politicians that up to half the veterinary medicines used in Northern Ireland could become unavailable because firms in Britain would choose to stop supplying them rather than carry out the additional retesting and relabelling required to sell them in the North after the cut-off date. [ DUP leader: Windsor deal is an opaque mess Opens in new window ] The paper said London's current expectation was that there would be 'very limited disruption, with fewer than 20 products due to face discontinuation that we consider are likely to result in significant adverse impacts if not addressed.' It announced two schemes which it said would provide additional resilience and 'plug any emerging critical gaps' by allowing vets to continue to access medicines from Britain. The UK government said these were within the scope of the Windsor Framework so did not require negotiation with, or approval from, the EU. It is understood the bloc is aware of, and comfortable with, the move. From January 1st, the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme will 'permit the use of suitable alternative products from outside Northern Ireland' by professionals without any additional red tape 'if the situation of animal or public health so requires'. A separate Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme will allow vets use specific individual medicines not authorised or available in Northern Ireland when needed, again without any additional administrative burden or certification. The UK government also said any veterinary medicines already on the market in Northern Ireland can remain so until their expiry date, even if it is after the cut-off from January 1st. The move was strongly criticised by some unionist parties. DUP MP Carla Lockhart said the 'stark reality' was that the UK government had 'chosen to prioritise placating the EU' over protecting the interests of animals, vets, farmers and the wider agri-food sector in Northern Ireland. Instead of resolving the problem, she said, London had 'simply issued another paper and acquiesced to EU law that does not deal substantively with the concerns raised by the industry and does not enjoy cross-community consent'. Traditional Unionist Voice leader, Jim Allister, said that 'instead of standing up for Northern Ireland, the [UK] government has largely rolled over, devoting its energy to encouraging reorientation of our supplies so that they come from the EU, not GB.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
New schemes to ease flow of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland
The Government has announced two schemes designed to ease the flow of veterinary medicines from Great Britain into Northern Ireland when a post-Brexit grace period expires at the end of the year. 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.'
