Mr Paisley said,
“The BVA has published its 2024 top five manifesto priority list and makes access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland beyond 2025, number two.
This call complements the work our DUP negotiating team has already been undertaking. We have repeatedly pressed the UK Government and Brussels to not just talk about the issue but finally agree a permanent solution.
Losing access to key veterinary medicines could cripple our agri-food sector. Indeed, the BVA significantly argue that losing access to the sole vaccine for poultry against salmonella could create a “serious public health emergency”.
Without a permanent resolution, 51% (more than 1700 products) of our veterinary medicine portfolio could be discontinued in the Northern Ireland marketplace. This could lead to dire consequences for consumers, farmers and their livestock but also for companion animals such as cats, dogs and horses. If unresolved animal health and control of disease will be severely impacted.”