Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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474. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements in place for the transport of horses between Ireland and Britain in the event of a hard Brexit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16198/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has issued a number of Brexit preparedness notices to assist industry.  These are available at the section of my Department's website dedicated to Brexit information - www.agriculture.gov.ie/brexit.  The notices include advice specific to the movement of horses, and general advice for importers and exporters.

Anyone importing or exporting live animals from or to the UK will encounter new regulatory requirements and customs procedures along their supply chains, when the UK leaves the EU.  In a no-deal scenario, the Tripartite Agreement between Ireland, France and the UK will no longer apply to the UK.

Equines coming from the UK after Brexit can only enter Ireland at an EU border inspection post (BIP) for that species. As part of the Department's planning, we are upgrading existing BIPs and developing additional ones to cater for the movement of horses from the UK to Ireland.  Equines from the UK will undergo documentary, identity and physical checks at the BIP.  Each consignment  entering Ireland from the UK must be accompanied by an identification document, a completed Export Health Certificate issued by the UK authorities including a completed owner declaration, and a Common Veterinary Entry Document.

After the UK leaves the EU, customs formalities will commence for all existing and new traders with the UK.  As a result, such traders will be required to make customs declarations and will therefore need to register for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.  Registration with Revenue for this number should be completed as soon as possible at Revenue.ie. 

The UK government has indicated that, in a no-deal scenario, there will be no immediate change in requirements for equines that may currently enter the UK from Ireland without animal health documentation (these are equines that are currently permitted to move between Ireland and the UK on a valid passport, under the Tripartite Agreement). Equines entering the UK from the EU will not have to enter the UK via a Border Inspection Post.

Further relevant information, including how to register as an EU TRACES system user can also be found in the Brexit section of the website.  The link to the application form for access to TRACES is at , and queries can be sent to BrexitRegistration@agriculture.gov.ie.

Equines transported between Ireland and the UK will continue to be subject to Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.  However, in a no-deal scenario, transporter authorisations, certificates of approval of means of transport and certificates of competence for drivers and attendants issued by the UK under Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 will no longer be valid in the EU.

The UK has indicated that, for an interim period, when importing live animals, they will continue to recognise Transporter Authorisations, Certificates of Competence, Vehicle Approval Certificates and Journey Logs issued by EU countries.