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Minister McConalogue urges agri-food businesses to take action with five weeks left to complete their preparations for Brexit

Minister McConalogue urges agri-food businesses to take action with five weeks left to complete their preparations for Brexit

 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine yesterday hosted the 16th Consultative Committee of Stakeholders on Brexit. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, who couldn’t attend yesterday’s meeting due to Dáil business, took the opportunity this morning to reiterate the strong message relayed to stakeholders yesterday that all agri-food businesses should immediately take the practical steps necessary to prepare for the changes that Brexit will bring from 1 January 2021, regardless of the outcome of EU UK future relationship negotiations.

 

The Minister said: “In five weeks, the UK will be outside the EU's Single Market and Customs Union.  From 1 January 2021 customs and regulatory requirements will apply to businesses that trade with and through Great Britain and these will result in additional delays and costs compared with trade today.  Businesses need to be ready for  this new reality and engage with my Department so that you are as prepared as possible for 1 January.” 

 

At yesterday’s meeting the Department of Foreign Affairs gave an update on the state of play in the EU-UK negotiations and the Revenue Commissioners provided an update on EORI registrations and authorisations, including in relation to the need for financial guarantees for transits on the landbridge if operators don’t switch to direct routes to the continent. Minister McConalogue stated “I am concerned that there still appears to be a significant number of companies across the agri-food, forestry and fisheries sector, including food and beverage manufacturers as well as wholesale and retail trade who traded with the UK in 2019 and 2020 that have not yet taken the first step of registering with Revenue for an EORI number.  Without this first step these companies will not be able to trade with Great Britain in five weeks time.”

 

Department of Agriculture officials updated stakeholders in relation to Brexit readiness work that has been completed and also on the wide range of further ongoing work, in particular in the area of communications to help businesses prepare. Stakeholders were again encouraged to ask their members who trade with Great Britain, and are the operators responsible for the consignment, to register with the Department so that they will receive relevant information directly and can get access to the Department’s new import and export IT platforms, as well as TRACES. 

 

Concluding the Minister said that: “With just five weeks until the end of transition period, time is very short and action is required urgently. This requires planning and investment – and it is not something that can be left to the last minute. I encourage businesses to engage with my Department and to watch a series of webinars to help businesses get ready for Brexit that are available on my Departments website www.gov.ie/agriculture .”

 

Note for Editors:Key Messages for Traders and Industry

 

  • Regardless of the outcome of the EU UK negotiations, from 1 January 2021, any business which moves animals, plants, animal products or plant products from, to or through Great Britain will be subject to a range of new customs formalities and other regulatory requirements.

 

  • It is essential that businesses take steps to understand the impacts that these new rules or processes will have on their operations.

 

  • Businesses should urgently familiarise themselves with the new regulatory and customs procedures, and the certificates and documentation required to continue trading with and through Great Britain. 

 

  • Businesses are asked to ensure the operator responsible for the consignment is registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the online registration portal on www.gov.ie/agriculture and that businesses have the necessary access to the Department’s online import and export platforms and the EU TRACES system. 

 

  • Businesses are also encouraged to talk to their suppliers, logistics agents and customers to ensure that everyone in the supply chain knows their role and responsibilities.

 

  • Wood packaging material, including pallets, used to move goods will need to meet the ISPM 15 standard, a phytosanitary standard developed by the International Plant Protection Convention. Traders with the UK (importers and exporters) will need to ensure the WPM they use in their supply chain is compliant with ISPM 15 from 1 January 2021.

 

  • Consider moving, in advance of the end of the transition period, to direct route options for the movement of goods from Ireland to the Continent to avoid potential delays and the new procedures associated with using the UK landbridge. 

 

  • Businesses should act now to avoid significant delays and minimise disruption to their business - go to gov.ie/agriculture to register, access supports and get all the information they need.

 

  • For assistance in preparing your business for these changes, contact the Department through their dedicated call centre, 076 106 4443 or email Brexitcall@agriculture.gov.ie