The importation of dog treats derived from South American cattle hides is set to recommence, with the first delivery to arrive on Irish shores this week.

Managing director of UK-based Lennox Pet Products Andres Rodriguez told the Irish Farmers Journal that his company has been struggling to export to EU member states as a result of Brexit red tape.

“Previous to 1 January, we were able to export to Ireland and other EU member states hassle-free,” Rodriguez said.

“Since Brexit has come into force, we haven’t been able to make one shipment to Ireland this year.”

Common practice

Importing cattle hides from South America into the UK continues hassle-free, Rodriguez continued.

“As it happens, we have managed to gain access to Ireland again and we’ll be shipping product there this week for the first time this year. The UK has been unprepared and the main source of the problem.

“Before Brexit, we used to ship 1t of product to Ireland per week and we hope to reach these levels again soon.”

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that dog food distributors in Northern Ireland have had difficulty sourcing cattle hide from Thailand since 1 January and have reverted to using South American imports.

Lack of confidence

A survey undertaken by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) in the UK concluded in mid-February that only one-third of businesses that attempted exports to Europe in 2021 had been successful.

PFMA chief executive Michael Bellingham said: “We have come against red tape, vet shortages and hauliers refusing to accept animal-based products in case they are stopped at the border.

“Many official veterinarians are unwilling to take on the extra work of certifying animal by-product consignments because they were not confident about what was required.”

Meanwhile, small abattoirs in Ireland have incurred huge losses to their weekly income as a result of a crash in the value of cattle hides here.