Import requirements for hay and straw

A notice issued to Importers and Operators responsible for import of hay and straw, 22 November 2023.

Hay from grass, clover, vetches and lucerne (alfalfa) covered under CN code 1214 90 90 and straw covered under CN code 1213 00 00 are listed in Regulation (EU) 2021/632 and must be presented for official controls at the Border Control Post (BCP) either in Rosslare or Dublin ports at the time of arrival.

As animal pathogens could potentially be transmitted via hay and straw, it is important to protect Ireland’s high health status by only permitting the import of these commodities from certain countries.

The list of approved third countries from which hay and straw can be imported is as follows;

Australia, Belarus, Canada, Switzerland, Chile, Greenland, Iceland, New Zealand, Serbia, Ukraine, United States of America, United Kingdom (GB), South Africa (excluding Northern and Eastern Transvaal, Ingwavuma and Botswana border areas).

Entry requirements:

The import requirements applicable to hay and straw are:

i) CHED-P submitted on TRACES-NT (IMSOC)

ii) Pre-notification of the BCP 24 hours prior to arrival of the product through submission of documents to the DAFM Imports Portal

iii) Presentation of the consignment to DAFM official inspectors at the BCP of entry to the EU for documentary, identity, +/- physical controls

iv) Documentation . A commercial document should be completed by the exporter (or their agent) and should accompany the load to the BCP (either as a hard copy or an electronic copy of the signed original uploaded to the DAFM imports portal +/- the CHED)

Further information, and a template commercial document, is available at: gov.ie - Import of Animals and Animal Products (www.gov.ie).