Ireland imports an extensive range of poultry meat from other member states and from third countries. Poultry meat produced in a European Union country may be traded freely between EU countries provided it has been produced in a manner that complies with the relevant health and marketing rules. Common rules apply throughout the EU and these include the requirement that product be produced in an approved establishment, the hygiene standards to be observed, and labelling specifications. Where an additive has been included in a product this must be declared on the retail label. There is no prohibition on the inclusion of additives in a product provided that the additive is not a banned substance and does not pose a risk to animal and public health.
Imports from third or non-EU countries are subject to strict rules governing the importation of such products as established under EU harmonised legislation. In particular, the country of origin and the establishment in which the poultry meat was produced must be approved in advance by the EU Commission. The granting of approvals is dependent on such factors as the poultry health status of the country, adequacy of its veterinary structures, facilities of the production establishment and employment of good hygiene practices. Third country production plants are inspected by veterinary experts from EU countries before approval is given.