Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of market concentration in the veterinary medicines supply chain in Northern Ireland, including the establishment of online or centralised distributors, following the end of the grace period.

The Department has engaged intensively with all stakeholders involved in the vet med supply chain to understand impacts on availability in Northern Ireland. Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland is a Government priority. The Department continues to engage extensively with stakeholders across the supply chain to support them with veterinary medicines supply beyond 2025.

From 1 January, the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme (VMIMS) and the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme will help to plug any supply gaps. Our current assessment shows a low number of discontinuations. Through our supply chain assessment, the Department is aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. The Department is also working to ensure that the VMIMS operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present.