Alignment on animal health rules essential post-Brexit
Brussels, 5 March 2018; Following the publication of the draft Withdrawal Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom, and the recent UK Prime Minister’s Mansion House address, AnimalhealthEurope is pleased to see the importance of animal health given a prime focus in discussions.
“The animal medicines sector in Europe notes with interest the willingness for ongoing dialogue between regulators. Not only does this play a key role in the continuity of animal medicines availability, regulation and safety, but it also impacts on the area of future innovation for animal health and welfare, as well as safe and sustainable food production. Alignment with EU rules on animal health and welfare can help ensure a minimum disruption to trade and increase certainty for both the animal medicines industry and the sectors our products support. We will continue to work closely with EU decision-makers, our stakeholders and our membership, to help ensure that the UK exit from the EU passes as smoothly as possible,” said Roxane Feller, AnimalhealthEurope Secretary General.
At the press conference held on the publication of the draft withdrawal agreement (28 February), Michel Barnier highlighted the need for full alignment on EU veterinary health rules, stating that it is a key issue linked to border checks on the island of Ireland following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.