James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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1057. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which a small farm (details supplied) may engage with the Food and Drug Administration agency in the United States with a view to pursuing export opportunities. [13564/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland can export the product referred to to the USA provided the food business operator is registered with  the United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).  Prior to registration, the company in question needs to comply with a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan at the production facility. HACCP is an international standard that all EU food companies must comply with.

The most straightforward way for the operator in question to register with the USDA is by using the on-line services at: www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/foodfacilityregistration/default.htm.

The FDA must then receive advance notice on shipments of imported food prior to exportation, using a prior notification system:

www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/ImportsExports/Importing/ucm2006836.htm.

Should the Food Business Operator require any further assistance, the help line numbers in the US FDA are: 

Registration with the FDA - 0013015750156

Prior Notification of import - 0017032618435.