NOAH said it recognises the importance of the ‘Political declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the UK’ which can pave the way to a successful future for the animal health sector.
NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard said: “NOAH’s priority is for the sector to continue to thrive in the post-Brexit landscape through a collaborative and co-operative regulatory system and relationship with the EU and international partners. A successful animal health sector is essential for the health and welfare of the nation’s animals.”
NOAH said it is pleased that the declaration promotes an ‘ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership’ with ‘provisions to promote regulatory approaches that are transparent, efficient, promote avoidance of unnecessary barriers to trade’.
NOAH particularly welcomes the commitment to explore the possibility of cooperationbetweenUK authoritiesandthe European Medicines Agency (EMA), and notes that the UK Parliament had voted in July that the UK should negotiate to remain in the EMA.
“We support this, and thatvote senta clear message that this should be a priority for negotiators as the detail of our future relationship develops. This will help ensure the UK does not become a ‘wave 2 country’ for access to new animal medicines,” Ms Howard said.
“Our sector, like other businesses, needs certainty, and a ‘no-deal’ exit, a strong possibility should the agreement not be adopted by the UK Parliament, could present supply problems and real risks to the health and welfare of our farm animals and pets.
“We need functioning supply chains spanning the UK-EU border, crucial to the production of veterinary medicines and their onward supply to tackle disease. Border delays, complex processes and increased costs would cause a risk to medicines availability. The implementation period within the deal would help ease the transition.”
Ms Howard added: “While the road ahead to our future relationship is by no means simple, this agreement is at least a step forward.”
