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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to para 23 of her Department's policy paper entitled Protecting Animal Health: The Government’s Approach to Veterinary Medicines in Northern Ireland, updated on 19 June 2025, how the proposed Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme will permit the use of suitable alternative products from outside Northern Ireland if required; and what steps she plans to take to ensure relevant obligations under (a) the IE/NI Protocol and (b) the pharmaceutical acquis of the Union are met.

The Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme allows the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to provide temporary authorisation for EU veterinary medicines where the animal or public health or welfare situation requires. The new guidance sets out the criteria VMD will use to judge whether a temporary authorisation is necessary. In accordance with the Windsor Framework, EU legislation in relation to veterinary medicines applies in Northern Ireland. The schemes we have introduced are compliant with EU law.