Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
1608. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total annual quantity of north American lobsters imported here both live and frozen whether directly through Irish BIPS or indirectly via intra-EU trade following inspection at other EU member state BIPS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26278/16]
View answerIn the case of fish or fishery products coming from a non EU country, excluding Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, these must go through an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at the first point of entry into the EU where health checks are carried out by official veterinarians of the Department. The identity and documentation of all products are checked at the first point of entry into the EU and some products are checked physically.
In order to import fish or fishery products into Ireland from a non EU country the person who wishes to import fish/fishery products is required to register with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). I have asked the SFPA to provide import figures through Irish BIPs for whole lobster from Canada and the United States directly to the Deputy. Imports to the EU outside of Ireland are a matter for the BIP of the Member State which is the first point of entry for the product concerned.
