Brexit: Mother ‘hugely distressed’ by supply problem of special baby milk due to NI Protocol

Speaking in the House of Commons today, DUP MP Carla Lockhart challenged Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove to act with urgency over the matter.

She said: “I have been contacted in recent days by the mother of an 11-week-old baby. The little one has some health issues that requires him to be given special baby formula that is produced in the Netherlands. Many other babies across Northern Ireland will have similar conditions, also requiring this formula for feeding.

“Due to the impact of the Protocol, the formula cannot be sourced in Northern Ireland and this mother is left in distress with her child facing hunger or health consequences. Her pharmacist sells around 50 packs of this product a month, as do many others across Northern Ireland. Wholesalers cannot secure deliveries. The product is caught somewhere in the supply chain as a direct consequence of the Protocol.

“This mother is hugely distressed and anxious for the health and wellbeing of her little baby. She is fearful that without this formula, her child will go hungry or become ill. So, it begs the question, if the [NI] protocol is denying a baby its milk, is it fit for purpose?”

A UK government spokesman said: “The short term issues experienced by this supplier have been resolved and a delivery has now been made. Further deliveries are expected this week. We understand how important these products are for parents with babies and are taking steps to ensure continuity of Food for Special Medical Purposes”.

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