Brexit: Norbrook planning to stockpile for no-deal

Norbrook has factories in Newry and employs more than 2,000 people

One of Northern Ireland's largest export firms is planning to stockpile six months of product inside the EU to guard against a no-deal Brexit.

Pharmaceutical firm Norbrook employs more than 2,000 people.

Liam Nagel, its chief executive, called for a no-deal Brexit to be taken off the table and for the industry to be given the transition period it was promised.

He said the firm had invested heavily in Brexit migration measures.

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But, in a worse case scenario, it may not be able to sell its products in the EU.

In addition to planning to stockpile, the firm has spent about £3m transferring product licenses to the EU.

Mr Nagel said that with just 50 days until Brexit, business needs certainty.

'We have an integrated supply chain, with a global supply base, which relies on frictionless trade," he added.

"We urge all those directly involved to work together to avoid a no-deal Brexit, the impact of which I believe would be disproportionately felt in Northern Ireland."

Last year Norbrook made a pre-tax profit of £45m on turnover of £275m.