Veterinary Medicines Northern Ireland 2024-02-01

2024-02-01

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Carla Lockhart DUP
Upper Bann
Context
Continued restrictions on veterinary medicines are a threat to local agriculture and could pose serious risks to public health and animal welfare. The British Veterinary Association Northern Ireland Branch president has highlighted these concerns.
Whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland. Continued restrictions remain a very real threat to local agriculture, with the BVA NI Branch president warning of serious risks if a permanent solution is not found by spring. The Command Paper mentions a working group but does it signal unilateral action from the Government?
Arrangements are in place through to the end of 2025. We continue to engage with the EU for a long-term solution and recognise its necessity. Negotiations are ongoing, but I do not want to pre-empt discussions.
Assessment & feedback
Whether the government will act unilaterally by spring if the issue is not resolved.
Does Not Want To Pre-Empt Any Of Those Discussions
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Carla Lockhart DUP
Upper Bann
Context
Continued restrictions on veterinary medicines are a threat to local agriculture and could pose serious risks to public health and animal welfare. The British Veterinary Association Northern Ireland Branch president has highlighted these concerns.
Whether he has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland. Continued restrictions remain a very real threat to local agriculture, with the BVA NI Branch president warning of serious risks if a permanent solution is not found by spring. The Command Paper mentions a working group but does it signal unilateral action from the Government?
We are clear that we must also ensure a long-term solution to safeguard those supplies on an ongoing basis, and we will continue to engage with the EU. We have to find this solution and negotiations are ongoing.
Assessment & feedback
Whether the government will act unilaterally by spring if the issue is not resolved.
Does Not Want To Pre-Empt Any Of Those Discussions
Response accuracy