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Veterinary Services: Northern Ireland

Asked by Carla LockhartDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 25 November 2025UIN 92117

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what arrangements the Department has put in place to provide real-time operational guidance to veterinary practices and Suitably Qualified Persons in Northern Ireland if product availability changes faster or more widely than anticipated after 31 December 2025.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

The Department will continue to engage extensively with stakeholders across the sector beyond 31 December, including those representing vets and SQPs. Should unanticipated disruptions emerge, the Government will work closely with industry, as we are doing now, to address the issues and communicate promptly to stakeholders. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) currently already seek feedback on supply issues with the 'report a supply problem' form, and this has been promoted to all stakeholders as one of their routes to notify us of any issues. The Government remains confident that the two schemes being introduced can address any supply gaps if they emerge. The Veterinary Medicine Health Situation list will be updated as necessary.

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