Oct 26th, 2023
2 mins
Members who are involved in trade with Northern Ireland should be aware that DAERA has been formally advised of a planned 5-day industrial action in the form of strike action, week commencing 30 October by NIPSA and GMB members across Veterinary Service Animal Health Group. This is in relation to NI Civil Service pay.
If strike action proceeds as has been indicated, there will be significant disruption to the delivery of many of the Department’s veterinary and animal health functions, including delivery of official controls and other official activities across Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) inspection facilities, meat plants and field operations.
If there is no resolution to the current pay dispute, the industrial action is likely to present issues in relation to animal health and welfare, public health and continuity of agri-food supply chains.
The Department is taking every possible step open to it to mitigate the risks presented by such a prolonged period of strike action. However, at this stage, they cannot guarantee that they will be able to provide their statutory services from 30 October to 03 November 2023. Further information on the sectors affected can be found here.
