Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
56. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners’ customs service has ever intercepted the poppy seed imports of retailers and food businesses that use poppy seed in the manufacture of their products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11998/20]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that there is currently no prohibition or restriction on the importation of poppy seeds into the State and therefore the product is not subject to routine intervention by Revenue. However, consignments of poppy seeds could be subject to customs checks to confirm certification, if claiming to be organic in nature.
I am advised by Revenue that poppy seeds were previously subject to regulatory checks in 2018 on behalf of the Environmental Health Service (EHS) of the Health Service Executive (HSE). This was to facilitate the identification of consignments of poppy seeds from third countries for sampling under the national chemical sampling plan for food. Sampling was carried out to ensure compliance with Regulation 401/2006 which relates to the levels of mycotoxins in foodstuffs. This was a temporary measure in 2018 and any consignments that were intercepted were subsequently released to the importer.
Revenue’s customs interventions are risk based and all consignments being imported into the State are subject to customs controls and checks. Such controls or interventions may be to verify the details on the customs declaration, to ensure that the correct value is declared, and duty paid or to protect against the possible illegal importation of prohibited goods.
