As the only vet elected to the Commons since 1884, Dr Neil Hudson MP quizzed the Cabinet Office and Northern Ireland Minister in Parliament about the availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, ahead of a grace period ending in December of next year.
Dr Hudson paid tribute to the Prime Minister's historic breakthrough - the Windsor Framework agreement - which ushered in a new chapter in our relationship with the EU. However, since speaking in favour of the agreement in Parliament last year, Dr Hudson has continuously highlighted the need to keep veterinary medicines availability in Northern Ireland.
The grace period - agreed between the European Union and the UK Government - allows veterinary medicines to enter Northern Ireland without checks in the interests of animal health and welfare, food safety and public health.
But long-term solutions are being found.
On account of his expertise in the field, Dr Hudson was invited to join the Cabinet Office's Veterinary Medicines Working Group which is solidifying the UK's position in order to reach an equitable outcome for animals and people across the entire island of Ireland.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"Veterinary medicines must remain available and accessible in Northern Ireland or risk critical issues for human public health, our agri-food industry and of course animal health and welfare.
"That said, I'm delighted to be working with colleagues on a solution. Our expert working group of veterinary professionals, politicians and government advisors is tirelessly searching for possible ways forward for the United Kingdom, the island of Ireland and the wider European Union. It is we Conservative and Unionists who have proven through the Windsor Framework that we can protect all dimensions of the Good Friday Agreement and cement Northern Ireland's integral place at the heart of our nation and its internal market."
Full exchange in the House of Commons:
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"The very welcome Windsor Framework demonstrates a strong commitment to human and animal health with its extension to access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland to 2025.
"I welcome the Cabinet Office and Northern Ireland Minister establishing the Cabinet Office Veterinary Medicines Working Group, and I'm pleased to be part of this group, working hard to find a solution.
"But can my right hon. Friend reassure the House that the Government will continue to strain every sinew in discussions with the EU to protect both animal health and public health in Northern Ireland and right across the UK with a permanent solution for access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland?"
Cabinet Office and Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker, replied:
"Yes, Madam Deputy Speaker, I can so assure him. I'm very grateful to him for bringing his professional expertise to bear within the working group.
"We've met twice. We intend to report at the end of June. We will then have a consistent and coherent position with which we can go forward to blend a combination of adaptation and, I hope, productive negotiations with the EU to deliver a long lasting, permanent solution to safeguard both animal and human health on the island of Ireland.
"I'm determined we should do that in a coherent and professional manner and I look forward to working with him to do it."
