Written questions by Allister.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) 2012 ban on conventional cages on the finances of producers with enriched colony cage systems and (b) five year transition period on competition between UK and EU producers.

The Government has carried out an assessment of the proposal to ban the keeping of laying hens, pullets in enriched colony cages and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 82237 on Import Controls, whether the construction of the border control posts at (i) Belfast, (ii) Larne, (iii) Foyle and (iv) Warrenpoint had been completed by 2 March 2026 or whether any aspects of construction were ongoing or incomplete as of that date; how much and what proportion of the total costs of the construction of those posts had been paid by 2 March; and whether any further payments for construction have yet to be made.

In line with the commitments the Government has made under the Windsor Framework, construction of SPS Inspection Facilities at Belfast, Larne, Foyle, and Warrenpoint are in place and these facilities are operational. Remaining works at the 2 March were limited to minor snagging and commissioning activities in line with normal construction practice and include additional works at Larne which will enhance the live animal inspections already in place. The Government has committed a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £144.1 million up to the 02 March 2026 in relation to the construction of the SPS facilities. Further payments for construction have yet to be made in accordance with contractual terms, however the total expenditure is forecast to be within the maximum funding envelope.

Food and Rural Affairs, where in Northern Ireland can machinery be taken to secure full Phytosanitary checks and the requisite paperwork so it can then be sold into the Republic of Ireland.

Where used agricultural and forestry machinery moves from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and is to be sold into the Republic of Ireland or other EU countries in the future, full Official Controls Regulations apply, and a phytosanitary certificate is required for the movement. It is not possible to retrospectively conduct phytosanitary checks in Northern Ireland.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the potential implications of the simplifications made by the EU to the EU Deforestation Regulation in terms of (a) its impact on the UK economy in Northern Ireland, (b) the timetable for the Northern Ireland Assembly to consider the legislation and (c) the timetable for the application of the legislation to Northern Ireland.

We are currently reviewing the latest EU proposals. We will take them into account as part of our ongoing considerations.

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.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the readiness of (a) veterinary practices and (b) farm businesses in Northern Ireland for changes to regulations on veterinary medicines.

We continue to engage extensively with industry stakeholders across the supply chain to support them with continued availability of veterinary medicines beyond the grace period. This includes engagement with veterinary and farmer associations and businesses. The Government has also issued extensive guidance and intends to publish several webinars shortly. This guidance provides information to help veterinary practices and farm businesses prepare.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure clear and timely public communication to farmers and pet owners in Northern Ireland on changes to the availability and prescribing of veterinary medicines after 31 December 2025.

The Government has been taking steps to support businesses and end-users in preparation ahead of 1 January. This includes communications to the farming sector and pet owners. The department published guidance, including a manual with specific information for pet owners and farmers.

Food and Rural Affairs, when final commercial decisions from manufacturers on veterinary medicine product availability in Northern Ireland will be communicated to veterinary practices and Suitably Qualified Persons.

Most pharmaceutical companies have already taken or are taking steps to make the required adjustments so we are confident that the disruption to veterinary medicines supply will be limited. Several larger companies have also communicated these decisions publicly. For those that have not, we continue to strongly encourage them to inform businesses as soon as possible about their intentions. However, following extensive stakeholder engagement, our assessment shows that most products currently on the Northern Ireland market will still be available. We have identified fewer than 20 products where discontinuation would pose significant risks to animal health and welfare if these risks were not addressed; the two schemes that we are introducing will serve to address those risks. Although these figures may change as pharmaceutical companies take steps to adjust before the end of the year, we are not expecting to see a significant change and continue to monitor the situation closely.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide real-time operational guidance to veterinary practices and Suitably Qualified Persons in Northern Ireland on product availability changes after 31 December 2025.

Guidance was published in June and recently updated reflecting industry feedback; the updated guidance that was published included specific references to vets and suitably qualified persons.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that pet owners in Northern Ireland do not have (a) increased costs and (b) reduced access to medicines after 31 December 2025.

The Government appreciates that affordability and accessibility to obtain veterinary medicines for pet owners is of great importance. The Government also understand that online retailers may offer more affordable options. Through our extensive engagement across the supply chain, Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has heard positive news from several pharmaceutical companies on their commitments not to raise prices. Also, through extensive engagement, VMD is aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. VMD is also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present. In addition, the Government remains confident in its assessment that the vast majority of veterinary medicines will continue to be supplied and that the schemes can address supply gaps if they emerge.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to provide advance notification to (a) veterinary practices and (b) farm businesses in Northern Ireland of changes to the availability of veterinary medicines.

Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a government priority and we continue to engage extensively with industry stakeholders across the supply chain to support them with the availability of veterinary medicines beyond the grace period, including through the Veterinary Medicines Working Group (which includes industry bodies and experts), in person in Northern Ireland and through meetings with industry bodies and businesses across the sector, including vets and farming businesses. Where it concerns key industry bodies, such as the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association, my officials have regular meetings and will continue to do so until into the new year. We have also published extensive guidance. This guidance again targets the full breadth of the sector, including specific information for farmers and vets. In addition, we will publish webinars later this month, for which we are currently collecting questions via an online forum. We intend to provide further information on products under the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme next month.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's news story entitled Veterinary medicine supply in Northern Ireland beyond 2025, updated on 13 November 2025, how many veterinary medicine products are expected to be (a) withdrawn and (b) altered in Northern Ireland after 31 December 2025.

Many businesses have already taken the steps to make the required adjustments so we are confident that the disruption to veterinary medicines supply will be limited.After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that between 10-15% of authorised products that are currently supplied will be discontinued. However, most of these discontinued products are not currently sold in Northern Ireland or are generics with multiple alternatives available. We have identified fewer than 20 products where discontinuation would pose significant risks to animal health and welfare if these risks were not addressed; the two schemes that we are introducing will serve to address those risks. Although these figures may change as pharmaceutical companies take steps to adjust before the end of the year, we are not expecting to see a significant change and continue to monitor the situation closely.

Food and Rural Affairs, what arrangements will be in place to ensure cross-departmental decision-making between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Office in the implementation of the (a) Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and (b) Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme after 1 January 2026.

Cross-departmental decision-making arrangements are an internal Government matter. There is extensive cross-departmental engagement on this matter, including at official and ministerial level - and both within the UK Government and with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). In addition, DAERA is included in the Veterinary Medicines Working Group. This engagement also concerns the implementation of the two schemes, and the Government is confident that they will be delivered by 1 January.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of delaying until close to 31 December 2025 the issuance of operational guidance on changes to the supply of veterinary medicines from 1 January 2026 to (a) veterinary practices and (b) suitably qualified persons in Northern Ireland on their ability to adequately prepare for the changes.

There has been no delay in the issuance of operational guidance. Guidance was published in June and updated in October and November. Updated guidance also includes specific references to vets and suitably qualified persons. In addition, we continue to engage extensively with stakeholders across the sector, including those representing vets and suitably qualified persons. The two schemes will take effect from 1 January 2026; we will monitor their effectiveness and consider further reviews if needed. We remain confident that the schemes can address supply gaps if they emerge.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to veterinary medicines supply routes on the ability of pet owners in Northern Ireland to fill veterinary prescriptions from online veterinary pharmacies, in the context of the online pharmacies delivering veterinary medicines being located in Great Britain.

We appreciate that there may be specific issues of concern and that access to an online retailer for pet owners to obtain veterinary medicines for their pets is of great importance. Through our extensive engagement across the supply chain, we are aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. We are also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present. Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) are unique to the UK, and the Government is committed to supporting them and the vital role they play in supporting the UK’s farming and companion animal sectors. Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a Government priority. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes and we do not anticipate significant animal health or welfare issues as a result of these discontinuations. Our data suggests that the level of discontinuations for products that can be prescribed by SQPs is in line with that overall estimate. Where there is, or likely to be, a significant animal health issue, and it is appropriate to do so, products under the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme could be made available for prescription and supply by SQPs. More broadly, the rules for supply by SQPs will not change from 1 January.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that veterinary medicine supply via Suitably Qualified Persons will continue to apply in Northern Ireland in the same was as the wider UK from 1 January 2026.

We appreciate that there may be specific issues of concern and that access to an online retailer for pet owners to obtain veterinary medicines for their pets is of great importance. Through our extensive engagement across the supply chain, we are aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. We are also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present. Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) are unique to the UK, and the Government is committed to supporting them and the vital role they play in supporting the UK’s farming and companion animal sectors. Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a Government priority. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes and we do not anticipate significant animal health or welfare issues as a result of these discontinuations. Our data suggests that the level of discontinuations for products that can be prescribed by SQPs is in line with that overall estimate. Where there is, or likely to be, a significant animal health issue, and it is appropriate to do so, products under the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme could be made available for prescription and supply by SQPs. More broadly, the rules for supply by SQPs will not change from 1 January.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Northern Ireland veterinary medicines divergence from Great Britain after 31 December 2025 on the competitiveness of farm businesses in Northern Ireland.

In accordance with the Windsor Framework, EU legislation in relation to veterinary medicines applies in Northern Ireland to maintain Northern Ireland’s dual market access. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes, or multiple alternatives remain available. We therefore do not anticipate significant impacts on animal health or welfare issues because of these discontinuations. Furthermore, we have seen from several pharmaceutical companies that they have made commitments not to increase prices as a direct result of the supply changes they are making or have already made. Our assessment therefore is that we do not expect an overall negative effect on the competitiveness of farm businesses in Northern Ireland, but we are not complacent and will continue intensive engagement with industry and stakeholders to identify and resolve issues where they arise.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department will assess the potential impacts of the (a) Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and (b) Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme on the agri-food supply chain in Northern Ireland during the first year of implementation.

We are confident in the two schemes being introduced by the Government and will continue to closely monitor the situation over the upcoming year and beyond. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current assessment is that there will be minimal disruptions to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and the agri-food supply chain will continue as it is now. The two schemes will take effect from 1 January, and we will monitor their effectiveness.

Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's policy is on the sale of goods bearing Not for EU labels in Northern Ireland to visitors who reside in the Republic of Ireland.

The ‘Not for EU’ labelling requirements are a necessary means of ensuring goods moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland through the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) are only sold to consumers in Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework does not stipulate a place of residence for those consumers.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the implementation of Windsor Framework rules governing the distribution of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2026 will impact (a) GB online retailers selling consumers in Northern Ireland veterinary diet foods for animals experiencing specific conditions and (b) the sale of veterinary medicines that must be prescribed.

a) Veterinary diet foods are not classified as veterinary medicines; therefore, they can continue to be supplied in the same way as they are now. b) Authorised veterinary medicines sold in Northern Ireland, prescribed or otherwise, will need to be manufactured in the EU or Northern Ireland in order to comply with the changes that will take effect from 1 January 2026. If those medicines move from GB or through GB, then the batch testing and release activities will need to be repeated before they are placed on the market in Northern Ireland. The Government has introduced two schemes to complement the prescribing cascade to help ensure vets are able to prescribe the medicines needed to protect animal health and welfare.