Vet medicine warning with ‘no deal’

THE body representing the UK animal health industry has urged politicians to work together to agree a Brexit resolution and provide more certainty for the sector.
Companies are finalising plans to ensure supply of vital veterinary medicines within the UK, as the March 29 deadline for exiting the EU approaches, said NOAH (the National Office for Animal Health) in a press release.
‘Leaving the EU without a deal will present a risk to the seamless supply of the medicines our animals need to protect their health and prevent disease and suffering, despite the extensive preparation our members have been carrying out to prepare for the many Brexit scenarios that have been under discussion,’ said NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard.
‘We need a decision to be made that means that we do not leave the EU on March 29 without a transition period.
‘Should ‘no deal’ prevail, then it is vital that government guarantees veterinary medicines are given the same customs priority afforded to human medicines.
‘Many vital medicines, including vaccines, have short shelf lives and specific transport conditions. They must not be caught up in potential backlogs with other commodity goods.’
Howard added: ‘Our members look forward to continuing to work with government and the authorities to the best of their ability to help protect the nation’s animals, by ensuring medicines are available, whatever the final outcome of deliberations.’
Picture: NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard