Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced an array of support measures to support business as the UK eases out of lockdown.

“We look forward to working with the government to ensure the continued growth of our sector” - Dawn Howard, NOAH.

The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has welcomed the 2021 Budget, stating that it will enable the animal health industry to “flourish” while making the UK “a leader in research and development.”

On Wednesday (3 March), chancellor Rishi Sunak announced an array of measures to support businesses as the UK eases out of lockdown, including an investment in skills, further business grants and tax breaks. He also acknowledged the resources many firms have put into their EU Brexit planning which, for animal health businesses, include increased costs and logistical and regulatory changes.

Welcoming the budget, NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard said that ensuring a business-first approach is imperative to support the UK's post-pandemic recovery and a vibrant animal health sector. 

“NOAH is pleased these fiscal steps have been taken in today’s budget to promote a strong environment for businesses, allowing the industry to flourish building an innovative and renewed regulatory climate where the veterinary medicine industry can be the best we can be,” she said. “We look forward to working with the government to ensure the continued growth of our sector and making the UK a leader in research and development.”

NOAH also welcomed government plans to consult on research and development (R&D) tax reliefs, intended to ensure the UK remains a competitive location for research. The organisation said it 'looks forward to continuing its views to the consultation, which will in turn support innovation and harness scientific excellence.'