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23/11/2022
Other News In Brief
Urgent Need For A Negotiated Solution On Veterinary Medicines – Alliance
Alliance Animal Welfare spokesperson, Patrick Brown, has called for the grace period for veterinary medicines to be extended to allow more time for an agreement to be negotiated.
The South Down MLA said without an agreement between the EU and UK, disruption to the flow of veterinary medicines will have a negative impact on animal welfare.
The current grace period for veterinary medicines applies until December 31, with restrictions then applied on the import into the EU and Northern Ireland of medicines from Great Britain. This in turn could lead to potentially half of all veterinary medicines for a variety of animals and livestock facing discontinuation in NI.
In April, the EU changed its laws to guarantee the supply of human medicines from GB to NI, providing a longer-term solution to potential concerns around availability, however, this did not extend to veterinary medicines.
"These issues are a direct result of the hard Brexit pursued and forced upon us by the Conservative Party and the DUP," said Mr Brown.
"Veterinary medicines and a wider veterinary agreement needed to be a key priority of the withdrawal agreement, however, it was overlooked. This is despite my party colleagues, such as Stephen Farry MP, consistently raising these issues directly with the EU and UK. There has been a lot of wasted time, especially from the Conservatives, that could have been used to come to an agreement.
"We are now in a situation where there are serious concerns for animal welfare in Northern Ireland if the grace period ends without a negotiated solution. I am constantly talking to vets and farmers worried about what medicines will be available for them to use. But it is clear what won’t solve this is the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill – unilateral action isn’t the answer and will only cause further economic and legal issues. What we need is more time to allow continued, pragmatic negotiations to take place.
"We have seen with the human medicines solution the EU is willing to recognise issues with the Protocol and come to an agreement, if the UK Government approaches the discussion in good faith. We now need them to recognise overlooking veterinary medicines was a mistake and a poor reflection of EU’s otherwise strong record on animal welfare. We need to put aside politics and recognise this is about the health and well-being of farm animals and pets.
"It is a real shame the DUP continues to waste time shouting from the sidelines about Protocol issues, while boycotting the Assembly and Executive, which could collectively call for negotiated solutions."
Govt 'Must Bin Cruel, Callous And Offensive' Legacy Bill
The British government must bin its 'cruel, callous and offensive' Legacy Bill and attempts to block families' access to truth and justice, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said.
The north Belfast MP also welcomed comments from church leaders who said that the Bill will not achieve any of its objectives and will prevent relatives of victims from getting investigations.
Speaking from London after protests against the Legacy Bill held in Belfast, Derry and the British capital today, John Finucane said: "The British government's Legacy Bill will essentially pull down the shutters on hundreds of victims and families who are campaigning for truth and justice.
"Seeking to prevent families from exercising their right to seek truth and justice for their loved ones is cruel, callous and offensive.
"There has been widespread opposition to this legislation, not only from victims and families, but also political parties, human rights experts and senior political figures in Europe and the US.
"Only today church leaders in the north have also said that the Bill will not achieve any of its objectives and will prevent relatives of victims from getting investigations which are human rights compliant.
"It's simply not good enough that the British government wants to cover up its role in the conflict and let its own state forces, who killed Irish citizens, off the hook.
"I joined campaigners in London today, to make it clear this flawed legislation once again must be scrapped and the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House implemented in a human rights complaint manner."
DUP Calls For Public Inquiry Into A6 'Fiasco'
The DUP has called for a public inquiry to establish the "nature, extent and cost of the delays which have beset the A6 road dualling project".
Describing the situation as "a fiasco" DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said: "This project, when it is finally completed will be a tremendous asset, but as of today it is an embarrassment. It is time that we learned the full facts about what has happened.
When construction first commenced, we were told the completion date would be Spring 2022. Having made inquiries, I was informed that the Covid pandemic and associated restrictions would not have an impact on that completion date. When the deadline had been missed the then Minister Nichola Mallon visited the site but gave no explanation or apology. Instead, she reported 'good progress' when the road should already have been finished.
"I made further inquiries from the most recent Minister John O'Dowd who said it would be finished 'before the end of the year'. That will be another missed deadline and its time we not only got the road finished but found out what is behind these inordinate delays.
"Everyone understands that projects can face delays, and there may be contractual issues at play with this project. However, what is necessary now is to establish what has been behind these delays, the extent of any contractual issues that have caused them and how much cost the public purse will have to bear because of them.
"There has been a lack of transparency and openness from the Department throughout this process yet motorists are still stuck on a single lane carriageway with speed and overtaking restrictions in place. More importantly however, there are road safety concerns with drivers on poorly marked sections of road.
"We need the road opened as well as having openness from the Department about this fiasco."
Festive Dog Fashion Show For Guide Dogs NI
A festive dog fashion show has been announced in an effort to raise money for Guide Dogs NI.
The Crufty Christmas Fashion Show is taking place on Sunday 11 December at 2 Royal Avenue, to celebrate the city centre hub becoming a dog-friendly venue.
If you think your faithful friend can 'sleigh' on the catwalk, now is the time to sign them up and they could win some amazing doggie treats and merchandise.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Michelle Kelly has chosen Guide Dogs NI as one of her official charities for her year in office.
Councillor Kelly said: "This is set to be a really fun, festive event and all for a good cause. We're a city of dog-lovers and it's great that 2 Royal Avenue is now a dog-friendly venue, following in the footsteps of St George's Market.
"The work of Guide Dogs NI is just incredible; they provide critical support for people who are visually impaired and who rely on these wonderful dogs to help them navigate daily life. Anyone who has witnessed a working guide dog will know just how remarkable they are, and I hope that people will be able to support this fantastic charity, while having a bit of fun at the same time."
Dog owners can register their stylish pooch for up to three categories:
• Sleigh, Sleigh, Sleigh – Christmas Couture
• Man's Best Friend – dogs and their owner
• Belfast Inspired – local people and local places
Categories will be judged by guest judges with the opportunity to win a range of doggie vouchers and merchandise. The competition is open to dogs of all breeds and all ages.
Broadcaster and TV personality Julian Simmons will be one of the guest judges at the event.
The event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. Donations to the charity can be made on the day.
Alliance Animal Welfare spokesperson, Patrick Brown, has called for the grace period for veterinary medicines to be extended to allow more time for an agreement to be negotiated.
The South Down MLA said without an agreement between the EU and UK, disruption to the flow of veterinary medicines will have a negative impact on animal welfare.
The current grace period for veterinary medicines applies until December 31, with restrictions then applied on the import into the EU and Northern Ireland of medicines from Great Britain. This in turn could lead to potentially half of all veterinary medicines for a variety of animals and livestock facing discontinuation in NI.
In April, the EU changed its laws to guarantee the supply of human medicines from GB to NI, providing a longer-term solution to potential concerns around availability, however, this did not extend to veterinary medicines.
"These issues are a direct result of the hard Brexit pursued and forced upon us by the Conservative Party and the DUP," said Mr Brown.
"Veterinary medicines and a wider veterinary agreement needed to be a key priority of the withdrawal agreement, however, it was overlooked. This is despite my party colleagues, such as Stephen Farry MP, consistently raising these issues directly with the EU and UK. There has been a lot of wasted time, especially from the Conservatives, that could have been used to come to an agreement.
"We are now in a situation where there are serious concerns for animal welfare in Northern Ireland if the grace period ends without a negotiated solution. I am constantly talking to vets and farmers worried about what medicines will be available for them to use. But it is clear what won’t solve this is the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill – unilateral action isn’t the answer and will only cause further economic and legal issues. What we need is more time to allow continued, pragmatic negotiations to take place.
"We have seen with the human medicines solution the EU is willing to recognise issues with the Protocol and come to an agreement, if the UK Government approaches the discussion in good faith. We now need them to recognise overlooking veterinary medicines was a mistake and a poor reflection of EU’s otherwise strong record on animal welfare. We need to put aside politics and recognise this is about the health and well-being of farm animals and pets.
"It is a real shame the DUP continues to waste time shouting from the sidelines about Protocol issues, while boycotting the Assembly and Executive, which could collectively call for negotiated solutions."
Govt 'Must Bin Cruel, Callous And Offensive' Legacy Bill
The British government must bin its 'cruel, callous and offensive' Legacy Bill and attempts to block families' access to truth and justice, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said.
The north Belfast MP also welcomed comments from church leaders who said that the Bill will not achieve any of its objectives and will prevent relatives of victims from getting investigations.
Speaking from London after protests against the Legacy Bill held in Belfast, Derry and the British capital today, John Finucane said: "The British government's Legacy Bill will essentially pull down the shutters on hundreds of victims and families who are campaigning for truth and justice.
"Seeking to prevent families from exercising their right to seek truth and justice for their loved ones is cruel, callous and offensive.
"There has been widespread opposition to this legislation, not only from victims and families, but also political parties, human rights experts and senior political figures in Europe and the US.
"Only today church leaders in the north have also said that the Bill will not achieve any of its objectives and will prevent relatives of victims from getting investigations which are human rights compliant.
"It's simply not good enough that the British government wants to cover up its role in the conflict and let its own state forces, who killed Irish citizens, off the hook.
"I joined campaigners in London today, to make it clear this flawed legislation once again must be scrapped and the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House implemented in a human rights complaint manner."
DUP Calls For Public Inquiry Into A6 'Fiasco'
The DUP has called for a public inquiry to establish the "nature, extent and cost of the delays which have beset the A6 road dualling project".
Describing the situation as "a fiasco" DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said: "This project, when it is finally completed will be a tremendous asset, but as of today it is an embarrassment. It is time that we learned the full facts about what has happened.
When construction first commenced, we were told the completion date would be Spring 2022. Having made inquiries, I was informed that the Covid pandemic and associated restrictions would not have an impact on that completion date. When the deadline had been missed the then Minister Nichola Mallon visited the site but gave no explanation or apology. Instead, she reported 'good progress' when the road should already have been finished.
"I made further inquiries from the most recent Minister John O'Dowd who said it would be finished 'before the end of the year'. That will be another missed deadline and its time we not only got the road finished but found out what is behind these inordinate delays.
"Everyone understands that projects can face delays, and there may be contractual issues at play with this project. However, what is necessary now is to establish what has been behind these delays, the extent of any contractual issues that have caused them and how much cost the public purse will have to bear because of them.
"There has been a lack of transparency and openness from the Department throughout this process yet motorists are still stuck on a single lane carriageway with speed and overtaking restrictions in place. More importantly however, there are road safety concerns with drivers on poorly marked sections of road.
"We need the road opened as well as having openness from the Department about this fiasco."
Festive Dog Fashion Show For Guide Dogs NI
A festive dog fashion show has been announced in an effort to raise money for Guide Dogs NI.
The Crufty Christmas Fashion Show is taking place on Sunday 11 December at 2 Royal Avenue, to celebrate the city centre hub becoming a dog-friendly venue.
If you think your faithful friend can 'sleigh' on the catwalk, now is the time to sign them up and they could win some amazing doggie treats and merchandise.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Michelle Kelly has chosen Guide Dogs NI as one of her official charities for her year in office.
Councillor Kelly said: "This is set to be a really fun, festive event and all for a good cause. We're a city of dog-lovers and it's great that 2 Royal Avenue is now a dog-friendly venue, following in the footsteps of St George's Market.
"The work of Guide Dogs NI is just incredible; they provide critical support for people who are visually impaired and who rely on these wonderful dogs to help them navigate daily life. Anyone who has witnessed a working guide dog will know just how remarkable they are, and I hope that people will be able to support this fantastic charity, while having a bit of fun at the same time."
Dog owners can register their stylish pooch for up to three categories:
• Sleigh, Sleigh, Sleigh – Christmas Couture
• Man's Best Friend – dogs and their owner
• Belfast Inspired – local people and local places
Categories will be judged by guest judges with the opportunity to win a range of doggie vouchers and merchandise. The competition is open to dogs of all breeds and all ages.
Broadcaster and TV personality Julian Simmons will be one of the guest judges at the event.
The event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. Donations to the charity can be made on the day.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 November 2011
Dud Animal Medicines Seized In Co Antrim
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized substantial quantities of unauthorised and illegal veterinary medicines from a residential property in Ballymena. The drugs haul, worth several thousand pounds, included veterinary antibiotics and other veterinary medicines intended for the treatment of large numbers of farm animals.
Dud Animal Medicines Seized In Co Antrim
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized substantial quantities of unauthorised and illegal veterinary medicines from a residential property in Ballymena. The drugs haul, worth several thousand pounds, included veterinary antibiotics and other veterinary medicines intended for the treatment of large numbers of farm animals.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
25 May 2005
Illegal veterinary drugs seized in Co Down
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized a substantial amount of illegal veterinary drugs during separate raids in Co Down on Wednesday.
Illegal veterinary drugs seized in Co Down
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized a substantial amount of illegal veterinary drugs during separate raids in Co Down on Wednesday.
10 February 2012
Brothers Fined For Importation And Supply Of Unauthorised Veterinary Medicines
Two brothers from Lurgan, County Armagh, have been convicted at Craigavon Magistrates' Court for conducting an illegal import and export veterinary medicines supply network operating in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Brothers Fined For Importation And Supply Of Unauthorised Veterinary Medicines
Two brothers from Lurgan, County Armagh, have been convicted at Craigavon Magistrates' Court for conducting an illegal import and export veterinary medicines supply network operating in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
26 April 2004
Police in counterfeit veterinary medicines search
Police have begun carrying out searches in counties Down, Tyrone and Fermanagh in an attempt to crack down on the use of illegal and counterfeit veterinary medicines.
Police in counterfeit veterinary medicines search
Police have begun carrying out searches in counties Down, Tyrone and Fermanagh in an attempt to crack down on the use of illegal and counterfeit veterinary medicines.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
