To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement.

Mr Muir

The Member will be aware that negotiations on a UK-EU agri-food sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement are being led by the UK Government. My engagement with UK Government Ministers on that agreement has been positive, and I have been assured that the interests of Northern Ireland are being taken into account in the negotiations. I will continue to engage in that dialogue with the UK Government. While we hope that there will be an outcome soon, the negotiations are ongoing. I am conscious that there is a target for this to go live by mid-2027, which would be positive for Northern Ireland and for the rest of the United Kingdom. I have made clear my view that any new SPS agreement should ensure that agri-food goods can move between GB and Northern Ireland with minimal friction and that we maintain unfettered access for Northern Ireland goods to the GB market. In order to make that possible, I have been pressing for the maximum possible dynamic alignment with EU regulations.

Mr Muir

As Minister, I take the view that dual market access for Northern Ireland goods to GB and the EU is a great benefit and is something that we should be very keen to explore and exploit. Many companies and sectors across Northern Ireland benefit from dual market access, such as the dairy sector and Coca-Cola, Deli Lites and Leprino, which I visited recently. We have dual market access. I will be in Brussels on St Patrick's Day, and I will make it very clear that Northern Ireland is a place in which to invest and from which you can export to GB and the EU without any regulatory checks. As Minister, my aim, through the SPS agreement, is to remove or reduce as much as possible the regulatory checks for goods moving from GB to Northern Ireland. I have been consistent in my call for the UK Government to consider widening the scope of their negotiations and joining an EU customs union, because that would deliver economic growth across the United Kingdom.

Mr Martin

Aligned with the SPS agreement, when did the Minister last meet the Health Minister about the fact that, since January, retailers based in Great Britain cannot directly supply vet meds to consumers in Northern Ireland and that that has caused prices to rise for pet owners who wish to purchase those medicines? Is he concerned about that?

Mr Muir

As the Member is aware, the issue of veterinary medicines does not sit under my direction and control. It is something on which I engage with the UK Government, through their veterinary medicines working group. I am aware of the actions that they have taken to address some of the concerns. We will continue to monitor progress on that. The issue does not sit under my direction and control; it sits under the direction and control of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.