Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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2478. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of relevant goods entering Irish ports from the UK that are subject to physical SPS checks; the percentage required under EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18876/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A physical inspection involves checking packaging, labels, temperatures of products and organoleptic tests (smell, colour, consistency, or taste of the goods). In certain situations, sampling for laboratory analysis may also be required.

The percentage of animals, plants, animal and plant products that are subject to physical inspections on entry into Ireland from GB, are the same as those that are laid down in EU legislation for countries that have not entered into an equivalence agreement with the EU. The rates vary depending on the nature of the commodity and the country of origin of the product. Not all products entering Irish ports from GB have been produced in GB. Some, for example, may have been brought into GB from other non-EU countries and as such the rates of physical inspection that apply to such products are those that relate to the source country rather than to GB.

Physical inspection rates vary from 100% for live animals and plants for planting, to 30% for meat and meat products of GB origin, to 1% in the case of hay, straw and highly refined products of human consumption of GB origin. The rates of physical inspections are not intended to be applied to individual freight units, rather they are rates that apply over time, usually over the course of a calendar year. Consignments not selected for physical inspection are subject to documentary and identity checks.