Senior vice-chair Jan Moehlenbrock speaks at the House of Lords.
NOAH senior vice-chair Jan Moehlenbrock says he has "every confidence" in the future of the animal health industry as it continues to navigate challenges and opportunities.
Speaking at a lunchtime reception for NOAH members and guests at the House of Lords on Thursday (30 July), Mr Moehlenbrock explained how essential a thriving animal health sector is for the UK as a whole and the role of the animal health industry in the personal wellbeing provided by pets.
“We are at the heart of UK food security and farming productivity. And we are key partners in a whole range of public health priorities and risks linked to animal-borne diseases," he said. "While helping the UK to succeed in these areas, our industry is focused on ensuring that the animal health community – industry and veterinary professionals – can also be guardians of environmental sustainability and animal welfare.”
Mr Moehlenbrock, who is also managing director of MSD Animal Health, highlighted how the industry had worked together to navigate challenging times, including Brexit and COVID-19, to enable continued access to veterinary medicines. As the industry continues to face challenges, he stressed that the revision of the UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations will be key - and he called on the government to launch its public consultation to ensure that regulations are fit for the future.
“We need all our routes of supply to enable animal owners to be able to access animal medicines, and to support our already pressed vet profession, further challenged by the increase in pet numbers through the pandemic," he said.
“With these new pet owners now facing the cost of living crisis, and recent headlines highlighting the difficult decisions that some pet owners are being forced to make in giving up their pets, we will continue to work with others to ensure that health and welfare does not suffer as difficult spending decisions need to be made.”
Mr Moehlenbrock also spoke about the current Northern Ireland Protocol and how it negatively impacts NOAH members’ ability to keep products on the Northern Ireland market. He said that NOAH will continue to focus on the challenge of protecting the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, adding:
“A solution has already been agreed between the EU Commission and the UK for human medicines that would solve most of our sector’s problems – we are seeking similar for veterinary medicines for long-term stability. Our dialogue with regulators and Northern Ireland animal health colleagues is good – and understanding of this potential crisis for animal welfare is growing – we will continue to work to try to achieve a solution."
He added: “Our past achievements show what we are capable of, and I have every confidence for the future.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
