Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, strongly supported the Windsor Framework as it received overwhelming backing from MPs. Pointing to the myriad benefits for trade, key industries, animal health and welfare; and ultimately the people of Northern Ireland, Dr Hudson again took to the Chamber to champion the historic breakthrough.
The Windsor Framework was approved by 515 votes to 29 and Dr Hudson was proud to add his name to the aye column.
The Penrith MP is the only vet to be elected to the Commons since 1884 and has consistently used his expertise to champion animal health and welfare issues in Parliament. As such, Dr Hudson stood up in the House of Commons to quiz the Northern Ireland Secretary and his Opposition counterpart on the progress to provide long-term availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and smooth the safe movement of animals between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
He previously welcomed the Windsor Framework with the Prime Minister in the Commons and specifically the significant steps made to agri-food industry issues, the movement of pets and the availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland. Dr Hudson’s parliamentary question to the Prime Minister and his full response to the Windsor Framework can be found here: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/veterinary-mp-dr-neil-hudson-welcomes-windsor-frameworks-commitment-agri-food-pet-and-medicine
While significant breakthroughs were made, veterinary medicines are only available due to the extension of a grace period until 2025 and progress on the movement of animals does not include livestock or horses. Without further progress Dr Hudson is concerned that the health of animals may suffer.
When quizzing Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris during Northern Ireland Questions, the Minister pointed to the new chapter in our relationship with the EU, which has allowed for a closer working relationship and will allow for further steps to be made on the issues Dr Hudson raised.
Dr Hudson later raised the incredible progress made on veterinary, and sanitary and phytosanitary issues during the later Windsor Framework debate, urging the whole House to support the deal.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, said:
“This vote was immensely important, and I am proud to give my support to the monumental agreement. The historic steps made by the Windsor Framework should rightly be celebrated and I thank the Prime Minister for directly addressing animal health and welfare issues posed by the original protocol. The feedback from my many farming constituents and veterinary peers has been overwhelmingly positive. We need to consolidate the sensible trading, veterinary and SPS measures in the framework and move forward, restore Stormont and secure prosperity for Northern Ireland and the whole UK.”
“We still have further to go to ensure consistency for animals across the entire United Kingdom. The Northern Irish farming and equine sectors contribute massively to the nation’s economy and smoother safe movement of animals is imperative to the sectors.
“I thank the Minister for his answer and look forward to continuing to work with his Government to find pragmatic solutions to the questions of the animal movement and veterinary medicine availability. ”
The full exchange at Northern Ireland Questions:
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, asked:
“I strongly support the Windsor Framework and welcome the veterinary and SPS measures.
“Can my Right Honourable Friend update the House on progress towards securing the long-term supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and also smoothing the safe movement of animals between GB and Northern Ireland to include not only pets but also farm animals and horses?”
Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, replied:
“I thank the Honourable Gentleman for his question. He knows a great deal about this subject.
“As he knows there is a grace period in place until the end of December 2025 on veterinary medicines. I would like to think that the new atmosphere that has been created between the United Kingdom and the European Union as we move forward has demonstrated that we can talk and negotiate about these things and we fully expect to be able to be in a position to address all of his concerns in good time.”
Dr Hudson's intervention during the Windsor Framework debate:
"Would the Honourable Member agree with me that the Government has made tremendous progress with this Windsor Framework in terms of veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary measures and what has been achieved with the securing of human medicines long term and the direction of travel for securing veterinary medicines up until the grace period ends shows that what can be achieved through dialogue?
"And it really shows to us all that we should be strongly supporting this framework deal."
Watch the proceedings in full from, here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/0ed407e4-46bb-4f2a-9d13-125d202a02f4
