NOAH has revealed that 2017 was an exceptionally busy year for the organisation, with Brexit straddling every activity.

NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard said: “We estimate that well over 40 per cent of NOAH’s resource this year has actually been spent on Brexit-related activity.

“With Article 50 triggered in March, the shape of how the UK will leave the EU is only now starting to become a little clearer, with the December ‘divorce settlement’ announcement. Many questions still remain. During the year, fact-finding and information-exchanging has been core.

“This has been two-way – keeping our membership well informed on the constantly changing political agenda, and spreading the word wider about what is needed to ensure the animal health sector continues making its important contribution to UK’s economy, food security and society – and to grow.”

Ms Howard added: “Equally, so we can find out exactly what is needed and where opportunities and potential pitfalls lie, we have actively sought views and feedback from our members and others in our sector.”

Critical to NOAH’s understanding and communications during the year has been its Brexit Barometer series of reports – with the first edition published in the summer and the second imminent.

Ms Howard said: “This shows opinions of members and stakeholders through six different areas relating to animal health with varying degrees of optimism, but overall uncertainty about the future of the animal medicines industry. The report will be repeated again in 2018 to track shifting sentiment, as the Brexit process unfolds.

“We need to make sure there are not problems accessing veterinary medicines for UK vets, SQPs and animal owners.”