With the changes to the regulation of veterinary medicines in the UK as a result of Brexit, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has created a helpful information hub pulling together its communications on current and future regulatory changes. Access the Hub here, including useful explainers on “Application and authorisation“, “Manufacturing and distribution“, and “Pharmacovigilance“, and see below for a summary of some key points.  Key points Legal controls on veterinary medicines The Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) 2013, as amended, remains in force for the regulation of ..read more

Brexit disruption forces German exporters to think again – FT (13 May) Despite tariffs not applying to most goods, trade between the UK and EU has been disrupted by higher shipping costs, transportation delays, health certificate requirements and more complex customs requirements at the border. On 12 May the ONS said that British exports to the EU for the first quarter fell 18.1% compared to the previous quarter, while imports from the EU to UK were down 21.7%. This reflects the steady decline of the UK as a trading partner for the EU since the 2016 Brexit referendum with its share of exports ..read more

UK and Norway fail to reach fishing deal – BBC (29 April) Despite weeks of talks, the UK and Norway have failed to reach a fishing deal for this year. The UK government claimed that it had ‘put forward a fair offer’ on access to the UK’s waters and in regards to fishing quotas, but an agreement could not be met. As a result, the UK will not have access to Norway’s waters, particularly known for their cod catches. The industry warns that hundreds of British crews will be affected. British trade groups call for quick normalisation of UK-EU co-operation – FT (29 April) After the ratification o ..read more

UK eases post-Brexit controls on vehicles taking goods to the EU – Reuters (20 April) The government has removed requirements for trucks entering South East England with goods bound for the EU to have a special permit. The system was introduced from 1 January to prevent a standstill at ports had trucks arrived without the correct paperwork. The government claimed freight volumes between the UK and EU are now operating at normal levels, with a 46% increase in exports in February. However, British goods exported to the EU (excluding non-monetary gold and precious metals) were down 41.4% in Janu ..read more

Irish Sea border posts ‘delayed by two years’ – BBC News (15 April) A Stormont committee was told this week that the timeframe for permanent facilities to operate the Irish Sea border has slipped, and that they are not expected to be built before 2023. Tenders had been agreed for the work, and contractors may be entitled to payments of up to £300,000 as a result of the delay. City of London – Brexit hit worse than expected – Reuters (16 April) Hundreds of financial firms have moved activities, staff and a combined trillion pounds in assets to hubs in the European Union due to Brexit. The st ..read more

Finally, Progress on Finance: Beyond Brexit – Bloomberg (1 April 2021) The UK and EU have agreed on a new forum on cross-border financial market regulation, which could help unlock equivalence talks. Additionally, to boost London’s attractiveness, the Financial Conduct Authority announced that it will consult on changes to listing rules, following from news that Amsterdam overtook London as Europe’s share trading capital after Brexit. Brexit: Counting the cost of the Irish sea border – BBC (1 April 2021) A BBC reporter examined the issue of the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northe ..read more

Brexit: Welsh ports under threat from post-Brexit trade – BBC News The Welsh government has warned that the effect of post-Brexit trading patterns seriously threatens the sustainability of its Irish Sea ports. The flow of trade through Welsh ports has collapsed since January with 50% less volume going through Holyhead and 40% less in the south West compared to February last year. Brexit and the Irish Sea border has resulted in more Irish-EU bound exports directly going to France or Belgium and UK-bound export going direct to Cairnryan or Liverpool. Brexit: NI protocol needs consent of ‘all o ..read more

EU launches Brexit legal action against UK – FT (15 March 2021) Brexit: EU to begin legal action over alleged NI Protocol breach – BBC (16 March 2021) The EU has sent an infringement proceeding letter to the UK setting out the grounds for legal action which could lead to an EU court ruling and a lump sum fine for non-compliance followed alleged breaches of Northern Ireland Protocol, a part of the Brexit deal which prevents a hardening of the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Earlier this month the UK eased trading conditions for Northern Irish businesses includ ..read more

In response to the Conservative Party’s manifesto promise, both industry and government have agreed to make production of new drugs to patients as attractive and innovation-embracing as possible. This, coupled with MHRA emerging from under the European Medicines Agency to function as a wholly independent body, presents an ongoing challenge. Consequently, on 26 February 2021 the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) awarded the first ‘Innovation Passport’ to a promising treatment for a cancer-causing disease. The UK’s new post Brexit approval pathway allows for innovative medicines to ..read more

With the changes to the regulation of veterinary medicines in the UK as a result of Brexit, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has created a helpful information hub pulling together its communications on current and future regulatory changes. Access the Hub here, including useful explainers on “Application and authorisation“, “Manufacturing and distribution“, and “Pharmacovigilance“, and see below for a summary of some key points.  Key points Legal controls on veterinary medicines The Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) 2013, as amended, remains in force for the regulation of ..read more