Dr. Cecil Beamish:

The landbridge is a significant issue for Ireland in the context of Brexit, not just for seafood or shellfish but also equally for agricultural and agrifood products. It is challenging in respect of any perishable seafood product. Thankfully, the UK market is not our biggest for seafood. Many Irish shellfish go to the European market. The Senator is correct that the produce would be exported via the landbridge. Discussions have been taking place on how the landbridge and entry points into the Single Market would function and how it would be certified and sealed as intra-Community transit product. As late as yesterday, we discussed some aspects of the matter with our French colleagues. If a scenario were to develop where there were large traffic blockages in the south east of the United Kingdom, even with the best documentary arrangements in the world, we would get caught up in them. There is a question as to whether alternative routes would be used and developed. The market may come up with solutions to that problem. It is an issue in respect of fresh produce. Shelf-life is important in that regard.

We also have product going to the UK and this will require new certification if the UK becomes a third country. It would require illegal, unreported and unregulated, IUU, certificates to prove that the fish was caught legally and sustainably. Each export consignment will require that because it would be the same as sending it to China or any other such third country. We have been making arrangements and putting in place systems to enable that to happen so the product can be certified for export if it is going to the UK market.

Tariffs on the seafood side are relatively low. It is a highly traded commodity globally and, therefore, the tariffs tend to be low.