NI’s chief vet Robert Huey has acknowledged that DAERA might not have the resources to meet the demand for Export Health Certificates (EHC’s) in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

At present, around 18,000 certificates are issued each year to cover the flow of animal products outside of the EU, however, if the UK leaves without a deal, and is forced to trade with the EU as a third country, that number could rise to over 1.9m.

According to DAERA that is a “reasonable worst case scenario”, although the actual demand will depend on the ability of business to maintain existing trade patterns, and with tariffs in place less goods will probably go to the EU.

Measures

To increase capacity, the Department has undertaken a number of measures that include reprioritising the work of up to 100 vets within DAERA, training 300 other staff to work as trade certification support officers, and has recruited 100 additional admin posts.

Training has also been given to staff in councils to provide EHC’s for fish and eggs.

The aim within DAERA is to have sufficient capacity to provide 400,000 EHC’s per year for meat and dairy products.

However, in food retail and distribution, live animal exports and animal by-products, the intention is to use the services of private vets.

“This is an unprecedented time for NI’s agri-food sector and a time of great uncertainty. We have explored, and will continue to explore, every possible avenue to scale up our capacity and that of the private sector, but the resources and solutions available to us are finite and the demand for EHCs may well exceed the supply in a no deal scenario,” said Robert Huey.

Meanwhile, sources in the industry have highlighted concerns that the focus on a no-deal means other crucial issues, such as bovine TB, are being under-resourced at present.

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