EU extends veterinary medicines grace period
More than half of all veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland were at risk of being discontinued.
The European Commission has confirmed a three-year extension to the grace period for veterinary medicines until December 2025.
The decision means the current procedures for moving veterinary medicines between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will continue to be followed.
Recently, there has been significant concern over access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland. Up to 51 per cent of medicines supplied to NI were at risk of being discontinued from 1 January 2023, when new EU rules, set out in the Northern Ireland Protocol, were due to come into force.
A statement from EC vice-president Maroš Šefčovic reads: “I am glad to announce that the Commission has today taken steps to ensure the continuity of supplies of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland – but also Cyprus, Ireland, and Malta. This decision means that citizens and businesses there will continue to be able to buy veterinary medical products from within the United Kingdom.
“Veterinary medicine is essential for animal health and welfare, for food safety, and public health. Brexit has meant that EU rules in this area no longer apply in the UK. But under the Protocol, those EU rules continue to apply in Northern Ireland. This avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland – an objective shared by the European Union and the United Kingdom.
“We have listened carefully to the concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly those in Northern Ireland. We understand those concerns. And that is why we are acting today.”
The extension has been welcomed by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), which has been lobbying the Government to provide a workable solution to the issue.
BVA president Malcolm Morley said: “We are delighted that Northern Ireland is set to retain access to essential veterinary medicines from 1st January 2023. More than half of all veterinary medicines were at risk of being discontinued, with significant implications for both animal health and welfare and human health.
“The extension of the grace period is extremely positive, and we welcome a solution which provides ample time to adapt for future compliance. Our thanks go to our BVA NI Branch officers, who all worked incredibly hard to help secure a positive resolution to this serious issue. We look forward to working further with all stakeholders to ensure the supply of essential veterinary medicines is maintained not just now, but for the future.”
A VMD spokesperson said: “We welcome this extension to the veterinary medicine grace period from the Commission and are looking forward to further discussions on veterinary medicines in the New Year. We will continue to work for a long-term, sustainable solution to the supply of veterinary medicines.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
