Veterinary Medicine Supplies

Dr Neil Hudson, the Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, what steps the Government is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure long-term access to veterinary medicine supplies in Northern Ireland. In her response, Fleur Anderson acknowledged the importance and urgency of the issue. She noted that a grace period for veterinary medicines will remain in place until the end of 2025, providing continuity of supply to Northern Ireland. The Government is committed to making progress on this issue as quickly as possible. Dr Hudson followed up, thanking the Minister for her answer and highlighting that the Windsor framework secured by the previous Government had extended the grace period for veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland until the end of December 2025. He stressed the importance of this for biosecurity and both animal and public health, and asked the Minister to assure the House that the Government will strain every sinew to secure permanent access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland. He also asked the Minister to confirm that the Government will continue the Cabinet Office's veterinary medicines working group, on which he had sat. Fleur Anderson confirmed that the veterinary medicines working group will continue, and the Government recognizes its importance. She stated that the Government will continue to work at pace on a long-term solution, as continuity of supply and advance knowledge of it are very important. Wendy Chamberlain, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, welcomed the Secretary of State and his team and associated herself with the remarks of the Member for Belfast South and Mid Down. She expressed hope that the success of the hurling at the weekend would lead the BBC to consider showing the shinty-hurling international. Chamberlain welcomed the new Government's attempts to continue rebuilding trust with Northern Ireland political parties and improving relations with the European Union, as this offers the opportunity to reduce trade frictions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. She asked the Secretary of State to set out what he is doing with ministerial colleagues and other Departments to open the door to securing a veterinary agreement with the EU, which will further reduce those barriers to trade. Fleur Anderson responded that the Government is committed to working at pace on a long-term solution, including a veterinary agreement. She stated that this might change the relationship with the EU and build more trust, and so a bespoke agreement may be needed, but the Government is working at pace to secure that.