Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
609. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department operates a dedicated point of contact for importers experiencing difficulties in obtaining sanitary or phytosanitary clearance for goods entering the State; and the supports available to traders where issues arise involving multiple State agencies. [53045/26]
View answer610. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place within his Department to facilitate the timely movement of legitimate imports through ports and airports; whether consideration has been given to establishing a dedicated trade facilitation service for importers encountering administrative difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53046/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 610 together.
My Department operates dedicated contact points and digital portals to facilitate the timely movement of legitimate imports through ports and airports in Ireland and to support traders experiencing difficulties with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import requirements.
Plant and Plant Products:
For trade related matters on plants and plant products my Department has a central trade policy team and they can be contact as follows for imports, plantimports@agriculture.gov.ie, and for exports, plantexports@agriculture.gov.ie. In addition further details are available to the trade at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/registration-and-procedures-for-import-plants-and-plant-products
and: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/exporters-registration-and-procedures-for-export-of-plants-and-plant-products
Animal and Animal Products:
For animals and animal products, my Department has a dedicated webpage Importing Animals and Animal Products from Countries Outside the EU (Third Countries) (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/importing-animals-and-animal-products-from-countries-outside-the-eu-third-countries/), with information and guidance on how to import different categories of Products of animal origin and live animals from 3rd countries into Ireland. There is a dedicated team with an email address animalproductimports@agriculture.gov.ie that provides support and advice to the public, stakeholders and agents on how to import products from 3rd countries into Ireland.
Compliance and Digital systems:
My Department issues Trader Notices (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/collections/import-of-animals-and-animal-products/) to traders and RFC agents to communicate changes in legislation, amendments to import requirements, and any changes that may affect the importation of products into the State.
My Department provides a dedicated team to respond to TRACES (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/services/traces/) related queries. My Department’s [INIS portal] (www.myagfood-client.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/) also exists for agents importing goods, which provides a swift and direct correspondence service with my Department's BCP officers on queries relating to current imports. Brexit Registration brexitregistration@agriculture.gov.ie is the designated contact for any queries regarding registration on the portal.
Border Control Posts (BCPs):
Each BCP has dedicated email addresses and contact numbers to assist service users. Dublin Port BCP offers a 24-hour service and Rosslare Europort BCP offers extended hours to facilitate the timely movement of imports. Contact details for all BCPs including phone and email is found at: www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/09fe3ad4/BCP_Designation_IRELAND_2025_v2_1.pdf
