Swann: DAERA must act to remove NI’s own barriers to bTB vaccine

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has been told by the UK Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that Northern Ireland is being prevented from benefiting from the rollout of a bovine TB cattle vaccine because of legal barriers created by the Windsor Framework and by Northern Ireland’s own domestic legislation.

Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Mr Swann, DEFRA Minister Dame Angela Eagle stated that Northern Ireland could not be included in the marketing authorisation for the bovine TB vaccine because “the movement of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland must comply with relevant EU rules.” This includes the EU prohibition on the use of the vaccine.

Mr Swann said:

“DEFRA has now confirmed that the Windsor Framework requires Northern Ireland to continue following EU rules which currently ban the use of the bovine TB vaccine. This means Northern Ireland continues to be held back, even as trials in England and Wales move to Phase Three.

“However, the DAERA Minister has also made it clear that Northern Ireland’s own legislation blocks the use of the vaccine here. Even if the EU were to permit the vaccine tomorrow, Northern Ireland law as it stands may still well prevent it.”

In correspondence to Mr Swann, the DAERA Minister confirmed that both domestic NI legislation and EU law applying under the Windsor Framework currently prohibit the use of bovine TB vaccination in cattle.

Mr Swann continued:

“The lack of access to a Bovine TB vaccine in Northern Ireland cannot be blamed on the EU alone. DAERA also has a responsibility and should urgently review and update domestic legislation so that if the vaccine receives final approvals, Northern Ireland would be ready and permitted to use it.

“Our farmers cannot be left years behind the rest of the UK because of inaction. I urge the DAERA Minister to bring forward the necessary legislative changes as soon as possible and remove the blockages which are within his power.”