Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Veterinary Products and Horticultural Stock

Wednesday 6 September 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The cliff edge on veterinary medicines supply has been removed, protecting their availability until 2025.
  • Costly phytosanitary certificates for plant movements within the UK have been eliminated.
  • The Ulster Farmers Union estimates that 1,700 veterinary medicines could be withdrawn from the market in Northern Ireland unless the Windsor framework is fixed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Paisley Jnr DUP
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns over the availability of veterinary products and horticultural stock after Brexit, especially following the removal of phytosanitary certificates.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the availability of (a) veterinary products and (b) horticultural stock in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Steven Baker

The cliff edge on veterinary medicines has been removed, protecting their supply through to 025 while sustainable long-term solutions are worked out. Costly phytosanitary certificates for plant movements within the UK have been eliminated. Eleven banned plant species will be able to move again by the next planting season.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on the availability of veterinary products and horticultural stock in Northern Ireland were not provided beyond general statements about phytosanitary certificates and 11 banned plant species.

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Q2 Ian Paisley Jnr DUP
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

Doubts about the Minister's optimistic stance on securing better terms for veterinary medicines after new information from Mr Bernard Van Goethem indicates no change to current arrangements.

Question

With regards to veterinary medicines, I fear the Minister's sunny optimism may be somewhat misplaced. After all, his preferred stakeholder—Mr Bernard Van Goethem—has made it clear that negotiations on this matter are “over”. This means insulin and botulism medicines will no longer be available in Northern Ireland. What will the Secretary of State and the Minister do about this?

Answer from Steven Baker

The hon Gentleman presented information I was not aware of before. While I am happy to look into it, my right hon Friend the Prime Minister secured a deal no one thought possible. This has transformed relations with the EU and I am confident we will deliver a veterinary medicines deal. The information is new to me.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address concerns about insulin and botulism medicines specifically, instead focusing on general confidence in negotiations.

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Q3 Theresa Villiers Con
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Ulster Farmers Union estimates that 1,700 veterinary medicines could be withdrawn unless the Windsor framework is fixed. Urging the Minister to address this issue.

Question

The Ulster Farmers Union estimates that 1,700 veterinary medicines could be withdrawn from the market in Northern Ireland unless the Windsor framework is fixed. I urge the Minister to do that.

Answer from Steven Baker

My right hon Friend makes her point clearly, heard by a wide range of Ministers. We will redouble our efforts to deliver on veterinary medicines as needed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify actions or timelines for addressing the withdrawal of 1,700 veterinary medicines.

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