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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., yesterday updated the Government on the next phase of UK Import requirements for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods.
While outlining the extensive preparations that have been undertaken by his Department and across Government, the Minister also took the opportunity to set out the significant additional administrative and logistical challenges arising for exporters and competent authorities in meeting the new requirements that will be introduced by the UK on 1 October. These requirements include exporter approval, pre-notification to the UK authorities and export health certification to and through Great Britain.
The provision of export health certificates for exports and for consignments transiting the landbridge will be a particular challenge, with volumes expected to rise significantly on current certification levels. The dispersed nature of agri-food and fisheries businesses exporting to Great Britain and the ‘just in time’ nature of the trade bring further resource and process implications for certifying authorities and businesses.

The Minister stated,

Extensive preparations have taken place across Government and across the agri-food and fisheries sectors for Brexit, anf significant changes have taken effect since the end of the transition period. However, further Brexit-related challenges and risks remain for these sectors as the next phases of UK import requirements come into effect. The 1 October requirements will bring an end to “business as usual” for Irish agri-food exporters and businesses need to fully engage with UK import requirements and with the certifying authorities to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Concluding, the Minister said,

With less than five months left until the introduction of the next phase of UK import requirements now is the time for exporters to ensure that they are export ready. Therefore, I am urging the entire industry to continue their Brexit preparations. If you haven’t started yet, then you should commence today. There are a range of useful resources to help businesses prepare for the requirements that will come into effect from 1 October available on my Department’s website on gov.ie/agriculture.

Note for Editors:
• The UK is implementing a phased approach to the introduction of its import requirements, including 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.
• 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. Please contact brexitregistration@agriculture.gov.ie
• Companies should also register with Revenue/obtain an EORI number if they haven't already done so.
• Companies should familiarise themselves with the SPS controls that have and will come into effect through www.gov.ie and full information is available online at gov.ie - Brexit and the Agri-Food Sector (www.gov.ie) .
• Contact via telephone (076)1064443 or email at Brexitcall@agriculture.gov.ie

ENDS