Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Approximately 40% of Irish exports in food and beverages take place with the UK. Some 47% of Irish beef exports, with an estimated value of €1.3 billion go there, while dairy exports to the UK were valued at €1.1 billion in 2023. Overall, it is clear to see that despite the UK now being outside the EU Single Market and customs union, it continues to be an important market for Irish exports. The smooth transition to these new UK requirements, therefore, will be important for us and for certain sectors of the economy. Given our close proximity and history of trading, it will remain the most important market for Ireland across many of our key sectors from beef, dairy and horticulture, all the way to prepared consumer food. The EU introduced customs and border procedures and checks under the trade and co-operation agreement. However, as the UK has delayed implementation of customs checks, Irish exports have yet to see any negative impacts. The new customs, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements on all imported goods into Britain will be rolled out on 31 January 2024 as part of its new border target operating model.

These requirements do not apply to goods that are moving from Ireland to Northern Ireland. Qualifying goods originating in Northern Ireland will continue to have unfettered access to Great Britain. However, businesses exporting certain goods from Ireland to the UK or using the UK land bridge will need to pre-lodge their import declarations using the goods vehicle movement system, generate a goods movement reference and standard customs controls will apply on arrival. Additionally, hauliers who move goods through UK ports which use the goods vehicle movement system will need to register for the service. Irish exporters are therefore urged to examine their supply chains, speak to their customers in the UK and to their transport and logistics providers.

From 31 January 2024, export health certificates, or sanitary and phytosanitary checks, will apply to high- and medium-risk animal products, plants and plant products imported to Great Britain from Ireland and the rest of the EU. It is important to note that this will involve exporters liaising with local veterinary inspectors. The additional documentation will come on top of the formalities already in place for goods that are being exported to the EU. Despite the incoming administrative burden and the costs associated with them, it is also important to be aware that Enterprise Ireland has numerous financial supports available under the Brexit adjustment initiative that will help companies prepare for the new exporting regime.

Government officials have been engaging heavily with Irish exporters, logistics providers and ferry operators, and have run communication and education campaigns. We are confident that awareness and preparedness among medium to large Irish firms is good ahead of the introduction of the new requirements. Although Government officials have been engaging heavily with Irish exporters, logistics providers and ferry operators, and have run communication and education campaigns, there is less confidence that smaller traders have the resources and knowledge to be fully ready. It is expected that the UK authorities will adopt a pragmatic and educational approach to the changes initially, but ongoing consistent or deliberate breaches could result in penalties. We are confident that the UK will remain the most important country for Irish food and drink exports.

For EU countries excluding Ireland, documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks will apply in respect of certain products from 30 April 2024. These include medium-risk animal products, medium-risk plants, medium-risk plant products and high-risk foods and feed of non-animal origin. For Ireland, these measures will not come into force for a further six months.

Safety and security declarations for EU imports will come into force from 31 October 2024. Each mode of transport will have certain requirements that must be followed to meet the safety and security requirements. The border target operating model also introduces the UK single trade window which will remove duplication where possible across different pre-arrival datasets, such as safety and security, sanitary and phytosanitary, and pre-lodged customs declarations.

It is expected that shipments that do not have the required declarations submitted at least 24 hours or more in advance will not be allowed to board ferries. Long delays are not expected at Irish ports following the commencement of the new system. All businesses in the agrifood supply chain to Great Britain should engage with their UK customers, their local supervisory competent authority team and logistics providers to confirm necessary processes are in place.

Ireland has significant economic ties with the UK, our closest neighbour and one of our most important trading partners. Brexit has changed forever the trade relationship between the UK and Ireland and the extent of these changes will only become fully evident over time. Exports by Enterprise Ireland client companies to the UK were €7.6 billion in 2017 and rose to €9.2 billion last year. Given our close proximity and our history of trading, the UK is expected to remain the most important market for Ireland across many of our key sectors, including beef, dairy, horticulture and prepared consumer food. If businesses export goods from Ireland to the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, or use the UK land bridge, these new rules may require changes to their operations. It is highly advised that all Irish exporters examine their supply chains, speak to their customers in the UK and to their transport and logistics providers.

See this speech in context