Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
891. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to harmonise brown crab export health certificate requirements across Europe for the export of crab to China to ensure a level playing field for fishers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25333/20]
View answerThe Deputy should be aware that China, as a third country, outside of the European Union, sets its own health standards for incoming food products and notifies the WTO of the standards in place. I understand that the Chinese authorities have recently launched a consultation on the health standards that will apply for crab as a food product and my Department is actively examining what the potential change may mean for trade in Irish crab products.
With regard to harmonising health certificate requirements for Member States of the European Union with third countries, EU Regulation 625/2017 (Official Controls Regulation) sets down the requirements which the competent authorities in each Member State must meet. As with other areas of European law, the European Commission conducts audits or inspections to ensure the national authorities are fulfilling their legal obligations.
