The UK government has been alerted to the challenges faced by Northern Ireland's veterinary sector due to post-Brexit arrangements. Alistair Carmichael MP, chair of the EFRA Committee, wrote to the Minister for Biosecurity, Baroness Hayman, detailing concerns that have emerged since the end of the grace period at the close of 2025, which previously allowed the supply of veterinary medicines from Great Britain (GB) into Northern Ireland.
New schemes, the Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme (VMHSS) and the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme (VMIMS), now facilitate access. However, six months on, the full impact of these schemes is described as unrealised and uncertain. The British Veterinary Association had previously noted significant stockpiles of medicines amassed before these changes, suggesting that systemic effects may only become apparent as these stocks diminish, potentially as soon as this summer.
Despite the limited full impact, farmers and vets have shared early experiences. Vets report resorting to alternative, less familiar, less suitable, or more expensive medicines due to sourcing difficulties. There are also concerns about increased day-to-day reliance on the veterinary cascade, a framework allowing the use of unauthorized medicines when no licensed alternative is available. This routine use is reportedly increasing veterinary treatment costs in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK. Additionally, vets are struggling to access commonly used antimicrobials, leading to the use of those typically reserved for serious infections, raising potential concerns for antimicrobial stewardship and resistance, though data is currently limited. The smaller market scale in Northern Ireland also restricts access to cost-effective or appropriately sized products due to packaging and pricing.
Carmichael posed several questions to Minister Hayman regarding monitoring of the veterinary cascade, data collection on VMIMS and VMHSS, and Defra's strategy for addressing product availability, pack sizes, and cost disparities. The letter also referenced the EFRA Committee's report on the sustainability of the UK veterinary workforce, highlighting specific Northern Ireland issues like the lack of farriery regulation, which impacts equine welfare. Minister Hayman has until June 22 to respond to the concerns and findings.
