AQW 4230/22-27

Mr Jim Allister KC
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 06/10/2022
Answered On Date: 26/10/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline the Chief Veterinary Officer’s assessment of (i) the impact of the end of the Protocol grace period in December 2022 on veterinary medicines; and (ii) whether the impact is a commercial matter or one that will have a direct impact on the agricultural industry arising from the Protocol.

Answer:

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, veterinary medicines moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are to be subject to additional import requirements. The Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland is satisfied that, if a solution to address these requirements is not found or implemented, a significant number of important medicines for the prevention and treatment of animal disease will either not be available in Northern Ireland, or be significantly more expensive, at the end of the grace period.

The additional import requirements arising would, therefore, have a commercial impact as they would impose an extra, and potentially insurmountable, burden on pharmaceutical companies, wholesale dealers and retailers that move veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland.

The discontinuation of certain medications from the Northern Ireland market would impact significantly on animal health and welfare here. This could, in turn, impact on the wider agricultural industry as animal health is directly related to the productivity and profitability of farm businesses.

I have made my concerns regarding the threat the Protocol poses to the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland clear to the UK Government, which leads on the relevant EU negotiations. I have also written directly to the European Commission calling for an urgent resolution to the matter.