Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
471. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any regulatory obstacles to domestic producers and suppliers sourcing pigmeat from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13675/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPig meat or meat products can only enter the EU from approved establishments in countries listed in the relevant Annexes to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404. This Regulation lays down the lists of third countries, territories, or zones from which the entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted.
Third countries - that is, non-EU countries - must apply to the European Commission to be included on approved country lists, a process which requires submission of detailed information on the applicant country’s animal husbandry, hygiene and production methods, and other relevant standards.
Third country audits are performed by EU Commission officials to verify the information included in the submission and to verify that husbandry, hygiene and production methods and standards are equal to those required throughout the European Union.
In addition, imports of meat and meat products must be accompanied by the relevant model of health certificate, completed and signed by the Competent Authority of the exporting third country. These health certificates contain, but are not limited to, attestations relating to the establishment of origin of the animals, welfare at the time of slaughter, and hygiene standards of the approved establishment of origin of the meat and meat products.
At the border control post (BCP) of first entry to the EU, such consignments undergo full documentary and identity checks and a varying percentage of physical checks. In addition, sampling may be performed at the BCP either randomly, or as part of enhanced sampling and intensified official controls which apply to consignments under suspicion of non-compliance.
Further information on agri-food sector trade and Central Statistics Office agri-food trade categories can be found in chapter six of my Department's [Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2024-2025].
