New Landbridge Transit Requirements For Oysters & Mussels (April 2024)
We have been notified that there has been another change in procedures concerning the transit of live oysters and mussels via the landbridge, when those animals are intended for re-immersion. Until the end of June this year a vet will no longer be required to inspect the consignment before loading. Instead an export application should be submitted to the Marine Institute in advance of transport and the Export number given to the transport company.
The full text of the announcement by the Marine Institute, posted on their website on 18th April, can be found below. It is unclear what the procedure will be from 1st July.
NEW ARRANGEMENTS NOW APPLY CONCERNING THE TRANSIT OF CERTAIN AQUACULTURE ANIMALS (M. edulis and C. gigas) THROUGH GREAT BRITAIN, EN-ROUTE TO AN EU MEMBER STATE FOR RE-IMMERSION.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL APPLY UNTIL 30TH JUNE 2024
Procedure:
- Approved Operators must submit an application to export Blue Mussels (M. edulis) or Pacific Oysters (C. gigas) of aquaculture origin to the Marine Institute (MI) at least 3 days prior to a consignment’s departure.
- Applications can be submitted via the online movement application portal.
In the ‘Transport’ section of the application, please ensure that you identify the application as ‘TRANSIT’ and include the EU entry and exit points in the text box provided (box labelled ‘UNN’).
Contact notification@marine.ie if you require login credentials. - The operator/transporter/agent must ensure that a hard-copy of the Intra-Trade Notification travels with the consignment during its transit through Great Britain.
- Additional requirements apply to transporters/agents. Please contact notification@marine.ie for further information
It is very important to note that trucks may be stopped by UK officials during the transit journey, so it is imperative that all of the steps outlined above are strictly adhered to.
Queries regarding this information should be addressed to notification@marine.ie
Important Notes:
- The Marine Institute – Fish Health Unit office operates 09:00 to 5:30pm Monday to Friday
- IntraTrade Notifications can only be provided for consignments originating from Aquaculture Establishments which have been approved by the competent authority.
- Intra-Trade notification is not required for live bi-valve molluscs which leave Ireland packaged and labelled for human consumption in compliance with Regulation (EC) No 853/2008.Up-to-date information regarding LBMs meeting these criteria can be found on the SFPA website here: https://www.sfpa.ie/What-We-Do/Trade-Market-Access-Support/Brexit-Information
The original post can be read at: https://www.fishhealth.ie/fhu/news-media/news/brexit-update-april-2024-landbridge-transit-requirements-certain-aquaculture-animals