Pre-Approval Inspection (Weigh Permit) subject to Control Plan Approval by the EU Commission
Further to the SFPA formally submitting an updated Control Plan to the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries Control and Inspections, European Commission on September 22nd, 2021. The Commission is currently reviewing Ireland’s submission. To be prepared in the event of approval being granted we intend to carry out pre-inspections for operators who wish to apply for a Weighing Permit to weigh fishery products after transport subject to the Control Plan approval.
If you wish to apply for a Weighing permit (subject to Control Plan approval) a completed application form and all required documentation can be submitted to: applications@sfpa.ie. * Please note additional requirements for conveyor belt systems. The Application from is available on this website at Apply for It.
Following receipt of the completed application form and documentation, the SFPA will liaise with you to arrange a pre-inspection by a Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer and an assessment of the application made thereafter.
Any application, pre-inspection and/or pre-inspection outcomes and/or operator obligations and associated conditions are strictly subject to the approval of the ‘Weighing of Fishery Products Control Plan - Providing for fishery products to be weighed after transport to a destination in Ireland (Article 61(1) of Council Regulation 1224/2009)’ by the European Commission and are subject to change pending the outcome of that approval. Further inspections may be required.
Please note all fish will continue to be weighed at the place of landing until a Control Plan is approved and implemented.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority is advising interested parties that a revised control plan for a derogation to weigh fish after transport has been drafted and invite submissions on the document prior to it being finalised and submitted to the EU Commission for consideration.
Please note that submissions received will not be responded to, but their receipt will be acknowledged. Submissions will be collated with a view to informing the final document to be submitted to the EU Commission. Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission. Submissions should be limited to the following:
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Content
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Scope
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Implementation
The consultation process remains open until 18th June and submissions are welcome from any interested parties. You are invited to email your submission to sfpaoperations@sfpa.ie
60(1) Weighing Sample Plan Version 2021 v1 3
Control Plan Derogation 2021 v1 5
Commission Implementing Decision_Revoke 61(1) Weighing after transport
Please see guidance presentation to provide you with information that will help you manage and comply with the new scenario of weighing of all fisheries products on landing. Please engage with your local SFPO/SPO if you need additional information or clarification on this information document.
Guidance Presentation for Industry - Weighing at Landing
The SFPA wishes to provide you with information that will help you manage and comply with the new scenario of weighing of all fisheries products on landing. Please engage with your local SFPO/SPO if you need additional information or clarification on this information document.
FAQs - Weighing of Fishery Products at Landing
National Sampling Plans, which under certain circumstances, permit derogation from the requirement for weighing all fishery products on landing.
National Sampling Plan for Weighing on Landing
The Sampling Plan allows for a situation where not all of the catch must be weighed on landing provided that the fishery products are landed in standardised boxes; in such cases, a representative sample may be used. The size of the representative sample is determined on the basis of a risk assessment.
This does not apply to some species, namely pelagic species subject to the provisions of Art 78 of 404/2011; species that are always weighed after landing, e.g. blue whiting and boarfish, tuna, monkfish (ANF), lobster and crayfish; and all the fishery products not stored in standardised boxes, including those stored in bulk.
Sampling Plan Art 60 (1) EU 1224/2009
National Sampling Plans, which under certain circumstances, permit derogation from the requirement for weighing all fishery products on landing.
National Sampling Plan for Weighing on Landing
The Weighing Onboard Sampling Plan applies the principles of sampling where the master is approved to weigh onboard.
Sampling Plan Art 60(3) EU 1224/2009 (Weighing Onboard)
Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) may require that certain pelagic species (mackerel, horse mackerel, herring and blue whiting) landing in excess of 10 tonnes are weighed in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 Article 60 (6). In support of this, where a vessel is required to weigh upon landing written notification by means of “A Notice to Weigh” form will be issued to the operator responsible for weighing of fisheries products on landing and prior to transport.
The Notice to Weigh on Landing that will be issued to the operators is available here in electronic PDF format.
Notice to Weigh