The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) yesterday confirmed it has formalised an agreement with the Customs and Excise Service to provide greater protection against the importation of foodstuffs that are unfit for human consumption.
The agreement enables Customs officials to work with the FSAI and health board environmental health officers on matters relating to the inspection of non-animal foodstuffs from third countries upon entry into Ireland.
Customs officers will be able to prevent the release of the products on to the market if they are: a serious and immediate risk to public health; not accompanied by the correct documentation or not labelled in compliance with food legislation.
Customs officers at all Irish ports and airports will be involved in implementing the new agreement.
Dr Patrick Wall, chief executive of FSAI, said it was an important step to enhance monitoring of imports into Ireland. FSAI officials would work in close co-operation with Customs officials.
"The FSAI is continually seeking an enhancement of food safety standards from Irish food businesses; it would be inequitable and unfair if our demands for high standards make them uncompetitive and they lose their market share to products from abroad which have not met the same exacting standards," he said.