Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1253. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Irish companies are allowed to import fertiliser from an organisation (details supplied). [54207/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the EU introduced a wide range of restrictive measures (sanctions) against Russian individuals and entities in order to impede Russia's ability to finance the war.

In addition to individual asset freezes, travel bans and visa restrictions, these restrictive measures comprise far-reaching trade restrictions in a number of economic sectors, as well as restrictions for activities in the financial sector.  There have been eight Packages of sanctions introduced to date.

Under Regulation (EU) 833/2014 (as amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2022/576), the importation of fertilisers falling under CN codes 310520, 310560 and 310590) originating from Russia is permitted, subject to the following quotas not being exceeded:

- 837,570 metric tonnes of potassium chloride of CN 3104 20 between 10 July 2022 and 9 July 2023

- 1,577,807 metric tonnes combined of the other products listed in Annex XXI under CN 3105 20, 3105 60 and 3105 90 between 10 July 2022 and 9 July 2023

 Such imports are without prejudice to other measures in the Regulation, such as those pertaining to Russian-flagged vessels and the listing of certain individuals. However, there remains a clear legal obligation on importers to ensure that they remain in full compliance with all sanctions measures. This includes the requirements under Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 (as amended) which prohibits funds being made available, directly or indirectly to sanctioned individuals. It is essential that any importer carries out rigorous screening and due diligence on all parties to the transaction.

Accordingly, there is no prohibition on the import of Russian fertiliser into the EU as long as these requirements have been complied with.