From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D., today urged food business operators to prepare for the introduction, by the UK Government, of import controls on certain food and agricultural goods from October 1st.
Addressing the 23rd meeting of the Consultative Committee of Stakeholders on Brexit, during which a detailed update on the new requirements was provided to stakeholders, the Minister acknowledged the acute nature of the difficulties that lie ahead. He said:
“Brexit has already brought a seismic shift in how we trade with the UK, and further changes are coming. The UK will introduce new checks on certain food and agricultural products from 1 October. Businesses exporting these types of products to the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, face changes, including pre-notification and new health certificate requirements. It is crucial that exporters fully understand these new requirements and ensure that everyone in the supply chain, from their UK customers to their logistics providers, are clear on their roles and responsibilities, and can meet them.”
Commenting on the resilience of the agri-food sector, Minister Heydon said:
“Given the volume and value of trade in both directions and the integrated nature of agri-food supply chains, the UK choice to leave the Single Market and Customs Union has had a profound impact on the trading environment and has meant unavoidable new burdens on companies, including through the additional checks and controls now in place. It is now over eight months since the end of the transition period, and we see evidence of businesses adapting to the permanent changes brought about by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The government is committed to continuing to support the sector in adapting to these new trading arrangements, and in preparing for the further Brexit-related change and disruptions coming later this year and in 2022”.
Minister Heydon added:
“Extensive preparations continue across Government and the wider agri-food and fisheries sectors. We are continuing to engage with stakeholders and businesses in the run up to 1st October as part of our comprehensive trader engagement programme. To further assist businesses in adapting to the post-Brexit trading environment, my Department will hold a joint webinar with DEFRA UK next Thursday (09 September 2021), which will provide further information for agri-food traders and those moving Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods from Ireland to Great Britain.”
The Committee also heard updates from the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to the operation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. However, no new procedures apply to goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland because of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
Note for Editors
Businesses can get in touch with the Department’s dedicated email address brexitcall@agricuture.gov.ie , or by telephone at (01) 607 2830, with any Brexit related queries. Detailed advice and resources are also available on the Government of Ireland website at: www.Gov.ie/Brexit
The UK is implementing a phased approach to the introduction of its import requirements, including Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls. The UK first phase was introduced on 1 January 2021. On 11 March the UK Government announced a delay in the introduction of additional import controls which had been scheduled to take place on 1 April and 1 July. These requirements will now come into force on 1 October, 1 January 2022, and 1 March 2022.
These new UK import controls will impact on exporters of all products of animal origin, including all meat, dairy, fish and composite products incorporating products of animal origin, certain animal by-products, high risk food not of animal origin as well as regulated plants and plant products.
Anyone moving goods from, to and through the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) should register with the Department as an importer/exporter and arrange registration on TRACES as appropriate, by contacting the Department at brexitregistration@agriculture.gov.ie They should also familiarise themselves with the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls that have and will come into effect.
ENDS