AS the end of the grace period that allows veterinary medicines move from Britain to Northern Ireland quickly approaches on January 1st 2023, there is growing worries that up to 50% of all veterinary products will not be available in the New Year.

After Brexit, the terms of the Northern Ireland protocol mean that all veterinary products used in the EU, and including Northern Ireland, must be licensed in the EU.

Malcom Morley, veterinary surgeon and recently elected President of the British Veterinary Association is pushing for a solution on the matter. He said: “At the end of this year, we expect about half of all veterinary medicines to become unavailable for use in Northern Ireland, not just for pets and horses but also for the agricultural sector with implications for animal health and welfare, veterinary practices, the agricultural economy and public health.

“Northern Ireland sits in an unusual and unique place sitting in both UK and EU regularity spheres. That means, when the grace period ends, veterinary medicines without dual marketing authorisation will no longer be available for use. There is an urgent need to find a solution.

“Given the size of the market, there is a real possibility that medicines companies may simply bypass Northern Ireland. I believe a solution can be found. We have seen it’s possible to navigate the same path for human medicines. It’s great to see the EU and the UK government re-start negotiations, we need to put this issue at the top of their agenda.”

Worried

Mark Little, Senior Vice President of the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association told The Irish Field he was worried for the equine industry.

“I would be worried for the equine sector because with the bigger sectors like cattle for instance, it has a larger financial impact and therefore is worthwhile for the pharmaceutical companies to get the medicines licensed. I would be worried for the smaller supply medicines,” he commented.

He said it is “positive” that the EU and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) have started talks again, helped by the Department of Agriculture (DEARA). A complete list of what medicines may or may not be affected is not available but Little added it will have an impact across every sector.