EU-UK deal will end need for almost 80k vet export certs
The first major post-Brexit deal between the EU and the UK is set to make food and drink imports and exports 'easier' thanks to a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement on plant and animal products.
The SPS agreement will see the UK and the European Commission 'work towards establishing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area'.
This would result in the 'vast majority of movements of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products between Great Britain and the European Union' being undertaken without the certificates or controls that are currently required.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Martin Heydon said: 'I strongly welcome the positive outcome of [the] EU-UK summit.
'For the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, the agreements reached between the EU and UK are of the utmost importance, and promise a fair and stable future relationship which will benefits these sectors in Ireland and in the UK.
'Recent trade tensions have led to concerns for our farmers, fishers, and food and drink businesses. Having certainty and stability with the UK as our key trading partner will be reassuring to all those in the agri-food and marine sectors'.
In relation to the commitment to a future SPS agreement, Minister Heydon commented: 'The UK remains by far the most important market for Irish agri-food exports, and we also have significant imports from the UK.
'There are long-established and mutually beneficial trading relationships between food producers in Ireland and food businesses and retailers in the UK.
'SPS, or sanitary and phytosanitary standards, relates to food safety and animal and plant health controls and standards. The commitment… towards the negotiation of an SPS agreement between the EU and the UK is very welcome,' he added.
Minister Heydon added that in relation to Irish exports, a comprehensive SPS agreement would greatly reduce the administrative burden on agri-food businesses exporting to the UK.
'My department produces around 80,000 veterinary export certificates a year to accompany Irish agri-food exports to the UK,' the agriculture minister continued.
'A comprehensive SPS agreement would eliminate the requirement for almost all of these certs. In relation to imports, a comprehensive SPS agreement would remove the requirement for food safety controls and checks on agri-food imports from the UK, which are currently carried out by my department at Irish ports and airports.
'I will closely follow progress on these SPS negotiations, and I hope that they will conclude successfully in as short a period as possible,' the minister concluded.
Minister of State with responsibility for food promotion, new markets and research and development, Noel Grealish commented: 'The UK is our closest and most important export market.
'[The] commitment to a comprehensive SPS agreement will be of significant benefit to Irish food and drink businesses. They can now plan for a future without the current administrative burdens associated with exporting to the UK.'
Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae added: 'The UK is the number one export destination for our exports of forest products and horticulture.
'I look forward to the increased opportunity that will result from an SPS agreement to reduce the burden on exporting businesses.'
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