Serious risks to animal and public health as veterinary medicines grace period ends in Northern Ireland, Lords Committee warns

The House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee has written to the Rt Hon Nick Thomas–Symonds MP, Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, expressing serious concern over the looming expiry of the veterinary medicines grace period at the end of next month, 31 December 2025.

Following an evidence session on the issue with representatives from the Ulster Farmers' Union; Animal Health Distributors Association; and the British Veterinary Association the Committee has highlighted the serious risks to animal and public health, farming, and food security, urging the Government to give urgent and earnest consideration to the issues and proposals raised by its witnesses to mitigate the impact of the grace period ending.

Lord Carlile Chair of the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee said:

“With only weeks left before the veterinary medicines grace period ends in Northern Ireland, we urge the Government to act with urgency and transparency. 

The end of the grace period risks creating a two-tier animal health system, leaving Northern Ireland with fewer choices, higher costs, and greater vulnerability to disease outbreaks.

“Witnesses told us that at least 15 percent of licensed products could be withdrawn, including ones with no suitable alternatives, yet stakeholders remain in the dark about which products they will lose access. This lack of clarity is preventing them from preparing for the end of the grace period.

“The Government must consider extending the grace period or provide a clear fallback plan. As emphasised to us by witnesses, this issue is unique to other matters relating to the Windsor Framework, as it is a matter of animal welfare, public health, and food security.

“Given the urgency of the situation, we ask for the Government to respond to the serious concerns we share with our witnesses by 11 December.”

Key concerns raised by the Committee in its letter include:

Uncertainty

• The Committee heard that of the 3,000 veterinary medicines currently licensed for supply in Northern Ireland, 10% to 15% are expected to be discontinued, out of which 20 products are likely to lead to significant adverse impacts with no suitable alternatives available on the Northern Irish market.  

• While the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and pharmaceutical companies are aware of what these products are, witnesses told the Committee that the VMD have still not informed stakeholders preventing veterinarians, wholesalers, distributors and end users from preparing for, and assessing the potential impacts of, their discontinuation. 

Choice, costs and antimicrobial resistance  

• The Committee heard that the discontinuation of veterinary medicines will limit options for preventive care on farms and leave vets, farmers, horse and pet owners in Northern Ireland vulnerable if unexpected health issues arise.

• The loss of a wide range of pack sizes could force farmers to buy larger quantities than needed or multiple smaller packs at greater expense, or choosing not to treat their livestock.
• In addition to increasing costs, overprescription not only goes against veterinary medicine regulations but also raises the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Costs to farming and food security

• The Committee heard that farming in Northern Ireland is worth £8 billion and supplies over 25% of the UK's indigenous food supply, leading witnesses to question whether food security is a Government priority. 
• The Committee further heard that reduced access to veterinary medicines could delay critical interventions during major disease outbreaks. Experts stressed that disease and infections “do not honour borders. Warmer climates mean higher risk across Europe, even though there is a body of water, it is not as an island as we would like to think it is.”

Wholesale competition

• The Committee heard that, in addition to the anticipated reduction in available products, only two of the six wholesalers serving Northern Ireland would continue to trade in Northern Ireland after the grace period, presenting risks of anti-competitive practices including price fixing or monopolisation.

Danger of two-tier animal health

• The Committee heard that pet owners in Northern Ireland are expected to lose access to online veterinary pharmacy services as all of those serving Northern Ireland are based in Great Britain.  Pet owners in Northern Ireland are also likely to face more expensive veterinary bills due to the increased administrative workloads placed on vets.

• With a reduced choice of products (including pack sizes), reduced wholesale competition and reduced access to online pharmacies faced by animal owners in Northern Ireland, which will not be experienced in Great Britain, there is a clear risk of the emergence of a two-tier animal health system in the UK, where Northern Ireland consumers have access to fewer products at greater cost.

Read the full letter on the Committee's website