Reports that there is no agreement forthcoming between the EU and UK on certification of fresh or chilled prepared meat and meat products is a major threat to Irish speciality and processed food exporters that use meat as an ingredient.

Sausages produced in Ireland and sold in the UK are the most obvious example of a product whcih will be impacted.

There is likely to be similar issues on the island of Ireland for importers of products processed in the UK, especially in NI where supermarket chains such as Asda and Sainsbury's are serviced by distribution centres in Britain.

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Issue for speciality foods

While there are significant exports of processed chicken and pig meat products to Britain, the vast volume of Irish meat exports are of meat cuts. Irish beef in particular is used for mince and burgers in British supermarkets, but this is mainly exported as bulk cuts of beef for mincing and preparing in Britain. Sales of fresh burgers manufactured on the island of Ireland would however be frustrated if a new certification agreement between the EU and UK cannot be reached.

Veterinary health certificates

The problem arises because all sales to the EU27 single market must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate and such a certificate doesn’t exist for fresh processed meat used in sausage, mince and ready meal products. However, a certificate is available for these products if they are frozen.

The problem comes into particular focus at this late stage of the Brexit negotiations because the UK position is that they will replicate the EU rules, hence the concern for Irish exports after 1 January.