Written answers

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Brexit Preparations

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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426. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the checks that will apply to trucks transiting the UK post 1 January 2021; if France is availing of flexibilities in the regulations for the movement of products of animal origin; if all French ports will be designated BCPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38619/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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From the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the UK will be outside the EU single market and the customs union. This means that new rules and procedures will apply to goods moving to, from or through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland.

New rules and procedures will apply when moving goods across the UK landbridge between Ireland and the EU. Operators will still be able to move goods across the landbridge, but the way they use the landbridge will change.

The UK's accession to the Common Transit Convention (CTC) is welcome. It allows EU goods to move under transit through Great Britain without undergoing full import and export formalities on entry and exit. However, to avail of the benefits of the Convention, a number of new administrative steps must be completed in Ireland, Great Britain and at the port of re-entry. Each consignment must also have a financial guarantee during the movement.

In addition, Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 means certain goods, including animals and products of animal origin, are subject to controls on re-entering the EU and must be pre-notified to the Border Control Post (BCP) of re-entry to the EU ahead of arrival.

The mechanism by which prior notification of a shipment containing animals or products of animal origin is provided to the BCP is at the discretion of each Member State. Flexibility in EU legislation, expected to be adopted shortly, allows Member States to use systems other than TRACES NT (the EU’s official SPS platform) for the provision of this prior notification. France have indicated that, as their IT system relies on data from TRACES NT, they require prior notification of products of animal origin (POAO) through submission of Part I of a CHED on TRACES NT.

Ireland has undertaken substantial engagements at political and official level across the EU to ensure EU goods moving under transit are not subject to additional and unnecessary checks and controls. For the vast majority of consignments transiting the landbridge, documentary checks will be performed electronically in advance of the consignment re-entering the EU and once the correct paperwork is in place, transit goods should be “green-routed” to leave the Port. Identity and physical checks will only be necessary where the authorities suspect non-compliance. It is therefore vital that operators have the correct administration work in place, in particular in relation to prior-notification.

France will list a number of additional Border Control Posts which will be in operation from 1 January 2021. These include Caen-Ouistreham, Calais port, Calais Eurotunnel, Calais Boulogne-sur-Mer, Cherbourg, Dieppe, Roscoff, and Saint-Malo.

We have noted the likelihood of delays in UK ports for some time now, including in our Brexit Readiness Action Plans of 2019 and 2020. Operators should plan accordingly and consider switching to direct route options. No new procedures will apply to goods moving on direct routes to the EU

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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427. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which all options have been catered for in respect of the aftermath of Brexit with particular reference to access to foreign markets for Irish products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38701/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's overall export performance over the last 10 years has been marked by year-on-year growth with total exports of goods and services reaching further record levels of €374 billion in 2019. While trade with the UK remains important, and is worth more than €1 billion per week, expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a key priority. In that context, the Government is working together with Irish exporters to support them in becoming more innovative, competitive and market diversified.

The Irish exporting landscape has been strong and companies in Ireland have been succeeding in winning business worldwide for their products and services. Against the backdrop of Brexit uncertainty, Irish companies continued to grow their exports into key markets in 2019, including in Germany, France, the Netherlands and North America. The opening of new embassies, consulates and enterprise offices as part of the Global Ireland initiative will support our companies in competing and thriving in global markets.

Ministerial-led Trade Missions have supported the Government's major drive towards market diversification. The majority of trade missions in recent years have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which are considered to represent the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT, lifesciences and in the agri-food sector. Trade Missions will resume as soon as is practicable. In the meantime, promotion of our companies abroad will continue through the work of our embassies, consulates and state agencies on the ground internationally.

In addition to these global efforts, key to our success has been our commitment to trade liberalisation in order to open new markets for our indigenous sectors. The EU has successfully concluded a number of important trade agreements with trading partners and is in the process of negotiating or upgrading its agreements with many more. The existing suite of EU Free Trade Agreements and new trade deals will continue to be very important for Ireland. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth and, in this regard, Ireland will continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements, opening new markets for Irish companies and increasing export and investment opportunities.

Preparing for the end of the Brexit transition period is a whole of Government endeavour and continues to be a key priority across Government. The Government remains committed to doing everything we can to assist businesses and citizens in preparing for the end of the transition period, including by assisting Irish traders to diversify to access additional new markets outside of the UK.

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