Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Gregory Campbell
Main Page: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)Department Debates - View all Gregory Campbell's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Gregory Campbell Excerpts(1 day, 5 hours ago)
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Robin Swann (South Antrim) (UUP)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Allin-Khan. Before I begin, I direct Members to my entry in the register of interests.
As we approach the end of the year, Northern Ireland’s farming, veterinary and animal welfare sectors are facing a potential crisis that can no longer be ignored. On 31 December, the veterinary medicines grace period is due to end. Without a clear, workable plan from Government, the supply of hundreds of essential veterinary medicines is set to be disrupted. Last Friday, my party colleague, Robbie Butler, the chair of the Northern Ireland agricultural committee, met with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister, Baroness Hayman, to press the urgency of securing a long-term solution.
Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)
I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate. Does he agree that the continuing uncertainty is driving the problem and causing issues for the medical profession and consumers in Northern Ireland, and that it has to be clarified and resolved immediately?
Robin Swann
I thank the hon. Gentleman for the first of several interventions. At that meeting, we made it clear to the Minister that a solution must be in place by the end of this year. If it is not, the consequences for animal health, human health and our agrifood economy could be severe. Time is running out—we have only four weeks to go.
This issue has been known about for some time. In February of this year, I hosted an event with the British Veterinary Association in Parliament to highlight the concerns and to urge Government to act while there was still plenty of time. That was 10 months ago. Since then, the warnings have grown louder. Recently, more than 19,000 vets from across the United Kingdom signed a joint letter to Government stressing the importance of protecting Northern Ireland’s access to veterinary medicines.