Government shares approach to NI medicines
The government says Marketing Authorisation Holders have made some necessary changes.
The UK government has published an updated policy paper, addressing the future of agriculture medicine in Northern Ireland.
From 1 January 2026, the movement of veterinary medicines will be governed by the Windsor Framework. Northern Ireland must comply with relevant EU rules in order to maintain access to the EU’s single market.
Northern Ireland is currently in an extended post-Brexit grace period, which is due to close at the end of this year.
Veterinary organisations had expressed their concern about the implications this could have on human and animal health. There was frustration after a EU-UK summit provided no further update.
In its new paper, shared by Defra and the VMD, the government has confirmed that the country will need to comply with rules agreed in the Windsor Framework to remain a part of the EU single market.
It identifies that 10- 15 per cent of veterinary medicine products would be discontinued as a result of the rules. However, out of these 3,000 products, it estimates that fewer than 20 products were likely to cause significant disruption if not addressed.
Due to commercial confidentiality, the government is unable to specify products which may cause concern.
The government says that this ‘very limited’ disruption is the result of necessary changes from Marketing Authorisation Holders. It believes this will leave the majority of veterinary medicines on the market.
It is now urging Marketing Authorisation Holders who have not planned the necessary changes to do so as early as possible. The VMD has offered to engage with authorisation holders and set out technical guidance.
The government has said it will continue to monitor the situation until 1 January 2026, when the grace period ends.
Elizabeth Mullineaux, British Veterinary Association president, said: “To protect the health and welfare of both people and animals across the UK, the British Veterinary Association has been consistently pushing the UK government for certainty around continued access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and the remedies announced today are a positive development.
“However, whilst the remedies provide some reassurances, the detail of how the schemes work for vets in Northern Ireland will be critical to understanding how effective they are in reality.
“We will continue to engage with the government to ensure our members and the wider profession's voices are heard as the detail is firmed up.”
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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. 
