Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1555. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that EU standards in respect of all food products on sale here will apply post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33819/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Regardless of the outcome of the trade negotiations between the EU and the UK, from 1 January 2021, things will change for our agri-food industry, particularly for importers and exporters of agri-food products, who will have to comply with new customs and regulatory requirements.

EU legislation requires that sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls, in the form of documentary, identity and physical checks must be carried out on imports of animals, plants, and products of animal and plant origin from Great Britain.

Primary responsibility for compliance with EU standards in respect of food products rests with the food business operator.

My Department, in conjunction with other Agencies and Authorities, will ensure that the necessary controls are conducted in a manner that ensures the minimum possible disruption to trade flows but also ensures compliance with EU regulations.