A scenario in which the UK leaves the EU without agreement (a ‘no deal’ scenario) remains unlikely given the mutual interests of the UK and the EU in securing a negotiated outcome.

Negotiations are progressing well and both we and the EU continue to work hard to seek a positive deal. However, it’s our duty as a responsible government to prepare for all eventualities, including ‘no deal’, until we can be certain of the outcome of those negotiations.

In a ‘no deal’ scenario, sharing of common systems, and exchange and recognition of data submitted for regulatory activities between the UK and EU Member States would cease.

This would require changes to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations with consequential implications for veterinary medicine stakeholders.

A summary outline of these changes can be viewed;
Stakeholder Engagement
(PDF, 346KB, 29 pages)

If you have any comments please submit these to consultation@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk as soon as possible and by no later than 19 October 2018.

If the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal, find out how this would affect anyone who imports animals, animal products and high-risk animal food and feed into the UK. This currently includes ‘products of animal origin (POAO)’ and ‘specified food not of animal origin (FNAO)’. Changes are likely to affect both so-called ‘transit consignments’ and consignments originating within EU countries.

If the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal, find out how this would affect pet owners who want to take their pets to the EU, and their vets (Official Veterinarians).

If the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal, find out how this would affect IT systems relating to veterinary medicines, including systems used to submit data and reports.

If the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal, find out how this would affect the regulation of veterinary medicines.