Committee publication · Correspondence · 30 June 2026
Correspondence from Baroness Hayman, Minister for Animal Welfare and Biosecurity, regarding veterinary medicines, dated 22 June 2026
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Biosecurity and animal welfare
Summary
Baroness Hayman reports to the EFRA Committee on veterinary medicines access in Northern Ireland following the end of the grace period. The government asserts that supply has remained stable, no significant shortages have occurred, prices have remained broadly comparable between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, and relevant schemes (VMIMS and VMHSS) are operating effectively. Ongoing monitoring through the Supply Co-ordination Forum continues.
Key findings
- No significant supply issues have been identified as a result of the end of the grace period; transition has been smooth with largely maintained access to the same products as the rest of the UK.
- A small number of Northern Ireland-specific issues have arisen since the beginning of the year but have been limited in scale and resolved; broader supply problems are generally UK-wide issues.
- Price data collected on a basket of 79 products shows prices have remained broadly stable month-on-month across Northern Ireland and Great Britain, with farming medicines slightly cheaper in Northern Ireland.
- The Supply Co-ordination Forum, established in January, enables regular engagement between VMD and veterinary associations, suppliers, and industry representatives to identify emerging issues early.
- No products have needed to be placed on the Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme (VMHSS); the Internal Market Scheme (VMIMS) will be reviewed after 12 months to assess ongoing need and effectiveness.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Alastair Carmichael MP, EFRA Select Committee, Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Northern Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA), Association of Practising Veterinary Surgeons in Northern Ireland (AVPSNI), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), British Veterinary Association
Notable line
“… no significant supply issues have been identified as a result of the end of the grace period.”
Key Quotes
“I am pleased to report that, to date, no significant supply issues have been identified as a result of the end of the grace period.”
“Initial findings indicate that prices have remained broadly stable month on month across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.”
“… the Supply Co-ordination Forum (SCF) established in January has enabled the VMD to meet regularly with representatives from the Northern Ireland veterinary associations …”
“I do not have any reason to believe that these impacts are widespread or significant based on the evidence I have provided above.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗