‘If Protocol denying babies their milk, it isn’t fit for purpose’

DUP MP Carla Lockhart has challenged Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to act with urgency to allow specialist baby formula to enter Northern Ireland for babies in need.

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 require him to be given special baby formula that is produced in the Netherlands. Many other babies across Northern Ireland will have similar conditions.

“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.”

Mrs Lockhart added: “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 protocol is denying a baby its milk, is it fit for purpose?

“The answer is clear. It is not fit for purpose. Those calling for the ‘rigorous implementation’ of the Protocol need to catch themselves on and realise the impact it is having on even the youngest in our society.

“The Government, and those local parties who continue to be cheerleaders for this Protocol, need to get real and rather than stand up for EU interests, stand up for the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

“The Government must act today to address this issue for my constituent and her baby boy. Lift the barriers to trade now and work to find a long term solution that removes these problems once and for all.”

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