Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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52. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on Brexit as it relates to his Department; and if he is satisfied that exports of food are sufficiently planned to the UK and the EU. [41620/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Brexit poses enormous challenges for the agri-food and fisheries sector, as well as for my Department. 

Regardless of the outcome of the EU UK negotiations, from 1st January 2021, any business which exports food to or through Great Britain will be subject to a range of new customs formalities and other regulatory requirements.  The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland will apply from 1 January 2021, ensuring that these changes to our trade with Great Britain will not apply to our trade with Northern Ireland.

My Department, as part of the whole-of-Government approach, has been very active in preparing for these significant and enduring changes, including in relation to the provision of export certification in order to meet UK requirements.

A key area where clarity remains outstanding is in respect of UK import and transit SPS requirements, and in particular the certification required for food being exported to or transiting through Great Britain. Preparations by my Department and by exporters cannot be finalised until there is clarity from the UK on their import requirements, including the certification required and the supporting business processes.  For the majority of Agri food goods, the UK has indicated that it will require import certification from 1st April 2021, though some will apply from 1st January, 2021.  The precise arrangements are still being defined.  

In response to Brexit, my Department has developed an export certification system to support the provision of export health certification requirements and this system is being enhanced as clarity on UK import requirements emerges. 

Businesses will still be able to export food to the EU via the landbridge.  However, it is clear that the way in which operators use the landbridge will change. Delays on the landbridge route are likely and businesses may wish to look at switching to  direct route options.  The process for moving goods directly between Ireland and other EU Member States will not change nor be subject to any new

procedures.