Trading in Animals and Animal Products

Addressing the challenges of a no deal Brexit takes place at a number of levels and requires responses at the EU level, responses by Government, responses by citizens, and responses by businesses and affected sectors.

While extensive Brexit preparedness and contingency planning has already been undertaken across Government, it is only by working together with businesses and our citizens that we can aim to mitigate the impacts of a no deal Brexit and ensure that we are prepared to the greatest extent possible.

As part of our preparedness and contingency plans, the Government identified those operators and businesses engaged in importing, exporting or animals, animals products and food of animal origin from or through the UK as a key sector impacted by Brexit.

The following is the latest advice that we can give you to help you to minimise any disruption to your business if you operate in this sector.

Latest advice on gov.ie/brexit
In a no deal scenario, the UK will become a ‘third country’ for trading purposes. This will mean that new rules will apply to operators and businesses importing from, exporting to or moving goods through the UK.

These include a range of sanitary and phytosanitary checks for animals, animal products and food of animal origin. Furthermore, there are specific rules applying to wood packaging used in the movement of goods.

It is important that businesses undertake the necessary preparations to be ready for compliance with these changes, as incomplete documentation, inaccurate information or late submission of documentation will lead to delays, with knock on impacts for your business.

All businesses

• All businesses need to review their supply chain to assess how it may be affected and build this into their business planning and cash flow management.
• All operators and businesses that trade with or move goods through the UK need to register with Revenue for a customs number (EORI number). This applies irrespective of the volume or value of trade undertaken. Operators and businesses also need to register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) – see below.
• If your products are transported using wood packaging or pallets, check that the wood is International Standard for Phytosanitary Measure No. 15 (ISPM15) compliant.
• Engage with any trade representative body of which you are a member. They can assist you in preparing for Brexit.

Businesses trading with the UK

• Businesses need to prepare for any new customs arrangements and regulatory checks and the impact they will have. This includes any customs obligations or formalities that may be required by the UK authorities.  Businesses exporting food, plants, animals or animal products to the UK are advised to refer to the UK central government published information.
• Businesses should consider how they will handle these customs and regulatory formalities. These can be managed in-house or by customs broker/agent. Either option requires planning and time.

Specifically for businesses importing animals or animal products.

• The person responsible for importing the consignment must register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and with the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), see link at DAFM Registration. If acting as an agent, the person responsible for the load should check that the customer that they are importing on behalf of is also registered on TRACES.
• Check that the exporting establishment is listed on TRACES.
• Check that the relevant veterinary health certificates and other documents required by EU legislation for imports into the EU have been completed and that original copies of the certificates will be travelling with the consignments.
• Make sure your transporter or haulier of live animals is in possession of the required EU authorisations.
• At least 24 hours in advance of the consignment arriving at the point of first entry into the EU, complete Part 1 of the Common Veterinary Entry Document on TRACES. At the same time email a copy of the signed veterinary health certificate and any other relevant documentation that is required for DAFM to process the consignment, along with the CVED number and the SAD number (when this becomes available) to the relevant electronic mailbox.
• Consignments of animals and animal products must be presented at the border inspection post at the point of first arrival in the EU for official controls in compliance with EU legislation. Further details in relation to these requirements can be found using the following link.
• If you are importing wild caught fish or fishery products, a Catch Certificate will be required – see Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority for further information.

Specifically for businesses exporting animals, animal products and food

• After the UK leaves the EU, the UK will determine its requirements for the import of products, plants and animals into the UK.
• While the UK have published some guidance papers UK Preparedness Notices  regarding their requirements, they are subject to change with limited notification. Therefore the Department recommends that you check the UK Government websites for the latest information.
• If you are exporting wild caught fish or fishery products, a Catch Certificate will be required – see Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority for further information.

All businesses transporting animal goods through the UK

• Businesses that move animals and goods between Ireland and other EU countries by road through the UK landbridge will need to ensure compliance with the customs transit procedure and with the SPS requirements.
• Animals and goods must be moved through the UK in accordance with Customs transit procedure. This requires the use of the New Computerised Transit System.  There are simplifications available such as registering as authorised consignors/consignees. Please note that a financial guarantee is required.
• If transporting animals or animal products, you must be registered on TRACES.
• You must complete and submit the relevant part of the Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) in TRACES in advance of the consignment’s re-entry into the EU. Current intraCommunity rules continue to apply in relation to documentary and sealing requirements, with the exception of bovine and ungulate animals for immediate slaughter.

Businesses can sign up for Enterprise Ireland’s Customs Insights, a short online programme that aims to give businesses a good understanding of the key customs concepts, documentation and processes required to succeed post-Brexit.

The department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a dedicated call centre for Brexit Queries which can be contacted at 076 106 4443 or to BrexitCall@agriculture.gov.ie

Latest advice on gov.ie/brexit:

Further information is available from www.gov.ie/brexit. This website is regularly updated with the latest developments so do check back regularly.

If you are living or working in Northern Ireland, you can find further information at www.gov.ie/brexit.

Notes to editors
Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine
Meg Laffan, Head of Communications
press@agriculture.gov.ie
Case studies may be available upon request

Bord Bia
Roz O’Shaughnessy, Corporate Communications Manager
rosaleen.oshaughnessy@bordbia.ie

Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Jane Ryder
press@fsai.ie
Presentations from FSAI Food business Brexit stakeholder event
Food safety queries can be sent to brexit@fsai.ie

HSE Environmental Health Service
press@hse.ie

Revenue
revpress@revenue.ie
Expert interviews may be available upon request.
For more information on their trader engagement programme at the ports that has started today:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/press-releases/2019/pr-040419-brexit-advice-for-transport-companies.aspx

For supply chain & business supports
Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation
Press.office@dbei.gov.ie
01 6312200
Expert interviews & case studies may be available upon request.

For certification & standards
National Standards Authority of Ireland
Deirdre Farrelly
pressoffice@nsai.ie
01 807 3804

Government contingency work in this area
The Irish Government, working with the EU, has a comprehensive Contingency Action Plan to implement measures to mitigate the impact of Brexit. Since June 2016, the Government has put in place a suite of supports to help businesses, of all shapes and sizes and across all sectors of the economy, to prepare for Brexit. These supports are aimed at assisting business in all scenarios, including ‘No Deal’.

Leading Government Departments and agencies have consistently engaged with businesses to outline the steps that need to be taken to help businesses prepare for a new post-Brexit trading regime trade with the UK post Brexit.

Regarding this area, here are some of the measures that have recently been undertaken:

• Veterinary and Plant Health officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine briefed businesses at Trader Engagement events across the country, as part of the Revenue Trader Engagement Programme.
• Businesses also had an opportunity to engage with Customs experts, the HSE’s Environmental Health service, Enterprise Ireland and other State Agencies and obtain detailed support and guidance particular to their business.
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued Trader Notices on a range of issues directly to businesses and have provided extensive information and guidance available on their website
• Additionally, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have engaged with representative organisations, large businesses, hauliers and logistic companies
• The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has established a dedicated Information Line (9076 106 4443) and email address (BrexitCall@agriculture.gov.ie) for operators in the sector
• A range of advisory and financial supports provided by Agencies including Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Enterprise Ireland. For example:
  • Businesses can sign up for Bord Bia’s Customs and Controls Training Programme that aims to give businesses a strong understanding of the customs, documentation, tariffs and SPS processes required to succeed post-Brexit.
  • Businesses can sign up for Bord Bia’s Supply Chain Mentoring Programme that aims to give businesses a strong understanding of the logistics and trade processes required to succeed post-Brexit.
  • Bord Bia’s Supply Chain Strategy Guide, alongside the Logistics Service Provider Directory, aims to assist Irish food and drink manufacturers to identify operations partners, establish more efficient distribution channels or routes and identify possible strategies for managing Brexit.
• Dedicated Budget measures to get Ireland Brexit Ready were announced in Budgets 2017, 2018, and 2019. These included:
  • A €78 million Brexit package for farmers, fishermen, and food SMEs in the 2019 Budget
  • A new longer-term loan scheme of up to €300 million, the Future Growth Loan Scheme, in Budget 2019. This scheme, jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will provide long term, unsecured investment finance for farmers, fishermen and small scale companies in the food and seafood sectors. This builds on loan schemes announced in the two previous Budgets.
• Revenue has developed a comprehensive Trader Engagement Programme which has included direct letter contact with businesses, and briefing events across the country and experts speaking at a range of Brexit related events for the last number of years.
• Revenue have embarked on a next phase of engagement with trade and business who may be transporting goods to, from or through the UK post Brexit. The latest information from Revenue is vital in helping truck drivers avoid congestion and delays for trucks coming into, and moving out of, Irish ports.
• From Friday 5 April, Customs Officers will be talking with, and providing information to, truck drivers in Dublin and Rosslare Ports to ensure they understand and are aware of the changes that Brexit will mean for their journeys. Customs Officers will be talking with truck drivers as they wait to embark the ferry, and will also be available on-board a number of sailings.

The full suite of preparedness supports are available at www.gov.ie/brexit > Brexit & Business > Government supports.

www.gov.ie/brexit

Check out the Irish Government’s dedicated website for all Brexit information:

www.gov.ie/brexit