Over 1,000t of Brazilian animal products entered Dublin Port so far this year
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed that 1,192.96t of Brazilian animal products passed through Dublin Port so far this year.
This was in response to a question raised by Roscommon-Galway TD, and Independent Ireland spokesperson, Michael Fitzmaurice.
Deputy Fitzmaurice asked the minister to outline which animal products of Brazilian origin were processed at the border control post (BCP) of Dublin Port, terminal 10 by combined nomenclature (CN) code/product type; including the gross tonnage of each.
A CN is an 8-digit classification code used in the EU to identify goods for trade, calculate customs duties, and generate statistics.
Minister Heydon replied, in writing: “The table below details the products of animal origin (product type and CN code represented) imported into the European Union through Dublin Port, Terminal 10 Border Control Post from Brazil in 2026.”
| Product Type | CN Code | No. of Consignments | Net Weight (Tonnes) |
| Animal by products (ABP), other than feeding of farmed animals | 051199 | 1 | 23.21 |
| Fresh meat (not meat minced, not meat preparations) | 020714 | 6 | 151.71 |
| Gelatine/collagen for human consumption (HC) | 35040090 | 3 | 0.29 |
| Highly refined products for HC | 35040090 | 1 | 0.05 |
| Meat preparations | 020714 | 9 | 218.70 |
| 02109939 | 4 | 101.51 | |
| Meat products | 02109939 | 1 | 25.50 |
| 160232 | 32 | 672.00 | |
| Grand total | 57 | 1192.96 |
The minister added: “It should be noted that the CSO is the official source of Ireland's trade statistics.
“Differences between CSO and traces data can arise due to differences in reporting periods. CSO trade and traces data is revised on an ongoing basis.”
Brazil
Separately, Minister Heydon also was questioned last month by Sinn Féin TD Natasha Newsome Drennan about Brazilian imports and food safety.
The Carlow-Kilkenny TD asked the minister what percentage of the 172t of beef imported into Ireland from Brazil in 2025 underwent food safety testing.
Minister Heydon said that his department carries out import controls at BCPs to the European Union.
He explained: "Beef consignments entering the EU from any non-EU country (also known as ‘third country’), including Brazil, must do so through an approved BCP.
"At the BCP, consignments are subject to official controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
"These controls include documentary checks, identity checks and, where required, physical examinations and sampling."
He added that sampling at BCPs is "targeted based on risk factors, including previous compliance history and EU-wide monitoring priorities".
Minister Heydon said: "My department currently carries out 100% physical inspection of Brazilian beef imports entering the EU through Irish BCPs, which includes food safety and organoleptic [using human senses] testing and risk-based laboratory sampling.
"Where serious or repeated non-compliances are identified, intensified official controls may be applied, including increased and targeted sampling, additional physical checks, or other appropriate enforcement measures," the minister added.
