Minister gives evidence to Windsor Framework Committee
On Wednesday 13 March, Cabinet Office Minister, the Rt Hon Steve Baker MP makes his first appearance before the House of Lords Sub-Committee on the Windsor Framework. This evidence session with the Minister follows our January evidence sessions with witnesses from academia, the pharmaceutical industry and the veterinary profession, examining the outstanding issues in relation to veterinary medicines in the context of the Windsor Framework. The Minister will also be invited to discuss wider questions about how the Framework is operating now that the devolved institutions are restored in Northern Ireland, as well as ongoing parliamentary scrutiny.
Meeting details
At 3:00pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry
Veterinary medicines and the Windsor Framework
Minister of State at Cabinet Office
Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Director of Authorisations at Veterinary Medicines Directorate, DEFRA
Director General of Union and Windsor Framework at Cabinet Office
Possible question topics will include:
- The current political situation in Northern Ireland with respect to the Windsor Framework and the UK Government’s role in the restoration of the devolved institutions.
- The Government’s record in providing information to Parliament on the operation of the Windsor Framework in a fulsome and timely manner and whether that record will improve now the devolved institutions have been reestablished.
- If no joint UK-EU solution is found, what will be the impact on the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland when the current grace period expires on 31 December 2025?
- What solutions is the Government actively exploring to address the issue of the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland?
- In the absence of an agreed solution to the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, whether the Government are considering taking unilateral action to guarantee supply. What impact might this have on Northern Ireland and wider UK/EU relations.
- When the promised NI Veterinary Medicines Working Group, announced in the Government’s Command Paper Safeguarding the Union, will be established and how it will be constituted.