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Written Question
Blue Tongue Disease: Northern Ireland
Thursday 4th December 2025

Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken in response to recent reports of Blue Tongue Disease being detected in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Disease control is a devolved matter and it is for the Devolved Governments to assess the disease risks and impacts in relation to their national herds, alongside the impacts of controls, and respond accordingly. Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments with the aim of providing, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response across the UK.

Following the first suspected bluetongue case in Northern Ireland on 28 November 2025, Defra is working with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to review policy regarding movement of bluetongue susceptible animals between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"I thank the hon. Gentleman for the first of several interventions. At that meeting, we made it clear to the Minister that a solution must be in place by the end of this year. If it is not, the consequences for animal health, human health and our agrifood economy could …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"I beg to move,

That this House has considered the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Allin-Khan. Before I begin, I direct Members to my entry in the register of interests.

As we approach the end of the year, …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"That was part of the reason for bringing forward this debate today. Any Minister or any organisation I have spoken to that has been involved with the committee on veterinary medicines regulations, which was established under the last Government, seem to be doing a lot of talking and engagement, but …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"With regard to market surveillance to look at costs, what powers do the Government have, should a pharmaceutical supplier decide to increase costs? That would be interfering with the commercial market, and I do not see where the Government have the powers to do what they say they want to …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"I agree with the hon. Member. It is not just the politicians who are saying that: the British Veterinary Association has said:

“From 1 January 2026, the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland will be thrown into uncertainty on account of the end of a post-Brexit grace period. The …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"The right hon. Member makes a very valid point. I remember well the Saturday when the EU tried to use article 16 of the protocol for covid vaccinations.

At that point much work was done for human medicines, but that was a number of years ago. It was done between …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"I agree. The potential loss of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland threatens animal health and welfare. Essential vaccines and treatments may become harder to obtain, increasing disease risk and undermining herd and flock health. Our vets and farmers would be forced into reactive treatment, adding strain to veterinary capacity and …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"The hon. Member raises another valid point. Northern Ireland is exposed because of the divergence caused by the terms of the Windsor framework. Our supply chains, unlike those elsewhere in the United Kingdom, are subject to the additional EU rules...."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland

"The Minister has been gracious in taking interventions. One issue that she has not touched on yet is pet owners with a prescription who buy medication online from GB suppliers. What reassurance can she give us there? I have heard everything that she has said to date, but I have …..."
Robin Swann - View Speech

View all Robin Swann (UUP - South Antrim) contributions to the debate on: Veterinary Medicines: Northern Ireland