Ireland faces meat ban with Great Britain after Brexit as last-minute talks begin
The ban could affect sausages, mince and prepared meals
Sam Roberts
Ireland faces a two-way ban on a wide range of meat products moving between here and Great Britain, it has emerged.
Officials from the EU and the UK are in last minute talks to avoid the ban which could affect sausages, mince and prepared meals.
EU rules mean that there are restrictions on certain meat products coming from outside the EU, and the UK has said it will apply a reciprocal ban on foods coming from Ireland.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue admitted that "significant changes" were coming in January, but said the government were working to ensure trade can continue without disruption.
Sausages on a disposable barbecue (Image: Getty)
Vaccine latest: Taoiseach gives very positive update but it comes with a warning
Irish households could face cost of living hike of €1,000 every year if there is a no-deal Brexit, TD warns
He told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One: "From January 1 regardless of whether there's a Free Trade Agreement negotiated in the next week or two, there's going to be significant changes from the first of January in that Britain will become a third country
"There will need to be documentation put in place for all exports going to Britain after January 1. It varies for different products but certainly there will be additional certification required, different to what it is at the moment where Britain is part of the EU.
"Each company does need to look at what is going to be required for them.
"Obviously critical to all of this as well is the completion of a free trade deal in a short period of time. If we don't have that will obviously make trade a lot more complicated and expensive, and mean tariffs for many products, but we are working hard to ensure that doesn't happen.
"But regardless of that companies do need to prepare for the first of January to ensure systems are in place to allow them to trade freely from then."
An Garda SiochanaGardai investigating reports of alleged Covid breach at Irish weddingGardai are investigating if any breach of the public health guidelines occurred
Dancing on Ice: Phillip Schofield's blunt admission about wild past and prostitute dinner
Dancing on IcePhillip Schofield has been honest about the wild night out he had with two sex workers while working as a children's TV presenter