The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has issued a reminder to Approved Seafood Business Operators* to submit their self-declaration figures for the first quarter of 2023. This is in order to calculate fees for official controls carried out by the SFPA, as required under the EU Official Controls Regulation**.
Fees for official controls, including routine seafood inspections, are calculated based on the volumes of fish first placed on the market by an operator. There is a flat rate of €1 per tonne for the first 50 tonnes in a month, and 50 cent per tonne thereafter. Fees are also charged for unplanned official controls arising from follow-up of non-compliances based on an hourly rate.
The self-declaration figures for the first quarter of 2023 are due to be submitted to applications@sfpa.ie on or before 14th April 2023. The self-declaration form can be accessed on the SFPA website.
The application of these charges brings the sea-fisheries and seafood industry in line with other sectors under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, where businesses are already charged for regulatory controls for live animals and products of animal origin.
It should be noted that fees relating to imports of fish and fishery products from Third Countries to Ireland at Border Control Posts will continue to be collected by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine National Disease Control Centre (NDCC).
For full details of the fees, including a Frequently Asked Questions document, please visit the SFPA website.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
*An establishment that handles or processes fish products is required to be ‘approved’ under EU regulations. Approval involves verification of the presence of necessary structures and systems to produce safe food. Approval provides each plant with a specific number which is incorporated into the oval identification mark that consumers may see on the label of seafood.
**Official Controls Regulations (EU) 625/2017