BBC News 19 December 2022
Current post-Brexit arrangements to ensure the continued availability of veterinary medicines are to be extended.
A "grace period" in Northern Ireland had been due to expire at the end of this year.
A group of MPs had warned this would mean a risk of shortages in veterinary medicines.
But on Monday, EU chief Brexit negotiator Maros Sefcovic said the EU Commission had "taken steps to ensure the continuity of supplies of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland, but also Cyprus, Ireland and Malta."
It means businesses will be still able to buy medicines from within the UK.
The protocol means Northern Ireland is still inside the EU's pharmaceutical regulatory system.
However, it gets most of its medicines from Great Britain, which is not.
Earlier this year, the EU changed its laws in an effort to help guarantee supplies of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, but that arrangement did not cover veterinary medicines.
Mr Sefcovic said extending the grace period to the end of December 2025 was "a practical solution to a practical problem" and would allow "ample time to adapt".
The UK's Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said the announcement brings greater clarity to the veterinary industry in Northern Ireland.
The president of the British Veterinary Association, Malcolm Morley, said the sector was "delighted" by the announcement.
"The extension of the grace period is extremely positive, and we welcome a solution which provides ample time to adapt for future compliance.
"Our thanks go to our BVA NI Branch officers, who all worked incredibly hard to help secure a positive resolution to this serious issue."
Angela McGowan, CBI Northern Ireland Director, said:"UK and EU negotiators have shown pragmatism here, but the extended time must be well-spent in securing a lasting, practical solution to this problem."
