BVA responds to Government’s plans to ensure supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland

Finding a resolution to secure continued access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland was becoming increasingly urgent - the end of the post-Brexit grace period extension was due to end at the end of the year, with risk of serious consequences to human and animal health should a solution not be found.  

The Cabinet Office has now published: Protecting Animal Health: The Government’s Approach to Veterinary Medicines in Northern Ireland - GOV.UK. The VMD has also released accompanying guidance alongside the paper.  

Responding to the approach, British Veterinary Association President Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “To protect the health and welfare of both people and animals across the UK, the British Veterinary Association has been consistently pushing the UK Government for certainty around continued access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and the remedies announced today are a positive development. However, whilst the remedies provide some reassurances, the detail of how the schemes work for vets in Northern Ireland will be critical to understanding how effective they are in reality. We will continue to engage with the Government to ensure our members and the wider profession's voices are heard as the detail is firmed up.”