Food Exports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018

Friday, 7 September 2018

Questions (1018)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

1018. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the confirmation that 1,000 new customs and veterinary inspectors will be hired in the event of a no-deal hard Brexit scenario, the estimated impact in terms of resourcing for export certificates and health certificates required for third country exports in March 2019; and the contingencies in place for the necessary infrastructure to be of sufficient scale to allow for the seamless export of thousands of tonnes of food product to third countries weekly and to ensure there is no delays in this regard. [36947/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is working through whole of Government structures, with other Departments, to prepare contingency plans for Brexit. From an agri food perspective, this will include arrangements and resources to apply any necessary import controls at ports and airports for products imported from the UK, and to provide any necessary export certification for animal and plant based products destined for the UK and to facilitate transit arrangements through the UK to the rest of the EU. These plans are at an advanced stage.

My Department is committed to supporting exporters and will continue to provide the appropriate certification for product destined for export markets, as and when such certification is required.