Milk and meat food distributors in Northern Ireland are being urged to seek export certification for their goods from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) before the Brexit deadline at the end of October.

DAERA has requested food distributors who export goods to the EU, including the Republic of Ireland, to engage with them and take part in a survey to gauge demand for export health certificates.

“Participating in this exercise will also help businesses plan for the additional requirements that may arise in the event of a no-deal scenario,” DAERA said.

The list of goods that will need an export health certificate include:

• Fresh meat and offal.

• Game and poultry.

• Minced meat and meat preparations such as fresh sausages and hamburgers.

• Meat products such as cooked meat and ham.

• Composite products containing meat.

• Fish, shellfish and fish products.

• Milk and dairy products.

• Composite products which contain 50% or more processed dairy product, eggs or milk.

• Composite products which contain 50% or less dairy, eggs or fish, and which are not shelf-stable.

• Animal protein for human consumption.

• Processed pet food or raw material for pet food production.