Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister has directly urged the Prime Minister to postpone the implementation of key post-Brexit trade rules, citing major concerns from veterinary professionals and businesses.
Critical Meeting at British-Irish Council
Emma Little-Pengelly raised the pressing issue with Sir Keir Starmer during a meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff on Friday. The discussion centred on two specific areas where temporary derogations from EU rules are due to expire, potentially causing significant disruption.
The deputy First Minister highlighted the imminent end of a grace period for the distribution of veterinary medicines from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Under the terms of the post-Brexit agreements, full EU rules on veterinary medicines are set to apply in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2026.
Veterinary Medicines and New Cars in Focus
Ms Little-Pengelly pointed to widespread anxiety within the sector, noting that many pet owners have already been contacted by GB-based suppliers withdrawing from the Northern Irish market. The British Veterinary Association has voiced serious worries about the uncertainty surrounding which products will remain available.
"I think many, many pet owners have received emails from companies in GB that supplied them for veterinary medicines withdrawing from the Northern Ireland market," she stated. "We've seen the British Veterinary Association and vets very worried about what is happening."
The second major concern she raised with the Prime Minister involves rule changes for new cars entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, with another key derogation also nearing its end.
A Call for Stability and Extension
In her clear appeal to the UK Government, Ms Little-Pengelly argued for an extension to maintain stability while negotiations with the European Union continue. She emphasised the gap between the conclusion of ongoing UK-EU discussions and the current deadline.
"It is my view that these grace periods should be extended. The derogation should not come to an end," she asserted. "While the discussions with the EU are ongoing with the UK Government, there is a gap... and I think it's critically important that we create that stability for businesses in Northern Ireland."
Her call was unequivocal: the UK Government must act to extend the grace periods and prevent the derogations from lapsing during the critical negotiation phase. This move, she contends, is essential to protect Northern Irish consumers, pet owners, and businesses from unnecessary disruption.
