Colm Burke, TD, has highlighted a most unusual practice taking place in Ireland.
The Deputy has called for a border inspection point at the Port of Cork so that imported non-EU goods, including fresh foods such as carrots, do
not have to be driven to Dublin for customs clearance. Mr Burke claims many of the cleared goods are driven back to distribution hubs in Munster for sale which is increasing costs and the administrative burden on the import businesses involved.
According to the Irish Examiner, Burke has also asked the Government to address some inconsistencies in the current system, including an
arrangement where bananas from non-EU countries do not require an inspection but vegetables do require inspection.
Three issues arise out of this bizarre story.
Why are we importing carrots from outside the EU, never-mind, outside Ireland?
We have some of the best carrot growers in the world in rural villages such as Ardmore, co Waterford.
Secondly, what about “climate change”? We’re told we have to reduce our carbon footprint, but fresh food, easily grown in Ireland is being imported from OUTSIDE the EU. In Italy, many supermarkets there have a “zero miles” fresh food section, demonstrating the fresh food is local,
with zero airmiles.
Finally, the Irish government bangs on about “food security” for Ireland. Are they just playing lip service as the merchants of Cork import fresh produce from outside Ireland to gain a few cents extra profit?
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