Change is here – seafood businesses urged to familiarise themselves with new processes and rules to reduce impact of Brexit

6 January 2021

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency is today (Wednesday 6th January) urging every seafood business who trades with or through Great Britain, no matter how small his or her operations, to continue to familiarise themselves with the impacts any new rules or processes will have on his or her operations and supply chains.

Jim O’Toole, CEO BIM, acknowledged the dual challenge the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit is having on the sector and said:

The focus of BIM and other state agencies including the SFPA is to continue to provide support and guidance to the sector during this challenging time. By working together and taking action now, we can reduce the impact of Brexit as much as possible. Brexit has changed the way many seafood businesses operate and they need to be ready for this change.

Any seafood business that has not already done so, is being urged to complete BIM’s Brexit Readiness Assessment questionnaire. The short questionnaire takes less than 5 minutes to complete and can signpost businesses to the steps they need to take to get Brexit ready. The assessment questionnaire covers customs and revenue, registrations, supply chain, financial management.

BIM’s online Brexit hub also includes guidance and financial support for seafood businesses. These include access to funding to support businesses that are importing/exporting products to Great Britain.

For more information go to the BIM or Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority websites.