Despite assurances from the UK government about the supply of vet medicines into NI once a grade period ends on 31 December 2025, local sources in the trade have highlighted concerns about reduced competition and a narrowing of product choices for farmers.

In a paper published last Wednesday, the UK set out its approach to vet medicines in NI. From 1 January 2026, post-Brexit rules in the Windsor Framework apply, meaning that all vet medicines coming into NI must be in line with EU requirements.

It had been originally feared that up to half of all vet medicines that come into NI from Britain could be at risk. However, out of around 3,000 products licensed for supply in NI, the current expectation from government is that 10% to 15% will be discontinued and of these, fewer than 20 would have adverse impacts if not addressed.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Dr Mark Little from the NI Veterinary Association said “there is probably more discontinued products than we would have liked to see”.

He argued that trade from Britain to NI has worked well for over 50 years, adding that the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is being lobbied about the need to establish and publish an easy to look up list of drugs to be sourced in the EU by vet practitioners in NI.

Zoetis is the first pharmaceutical company to publish a list of discontinued products for its suppliers across NI. It is understood that its product range has been rationalised, with approximately 100 lesser-used products being withdrawn.

This will have some impact on local merchants that supply these products to farmers. One example is a sheep wormer, available in 1l and 5l packs, with the company deciding to withdraw its 5l pack size.

“The market for livestock drugs is already confusing for farmers and this may lead to less choice, which ultimately could drive up drug resistance” said Little.

In the majority of cases, veterinary medicine supply that has to come from the EU will be sourced from the Republic of Ireland (ROI).

“There may be some teething problems in January and February 2026. Has ROI factored in the increase in veterinary medicine required? If not there may be increased demand pressure on certain products,” said Little.