IFA Aquaculture & IFPEA Call for Immediate Government Intervention to Resolve U.S. Export Ban on Irish Farmed Salmon

IFA Aquaculture and the Irish Fish Processors & Exporters Association (IFPEA) have expressed serious concern following confirmation that Irish farmed salmon exports to the United States will be prohibited from 1st January 2026, due to a decision by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority’s (SFPA) issued an Information Notice earlier this week, outlining that the ban arises from a NOAA determination that Ireland’s salmon from an aquaculture source does not meet U.S. regulatory equivalence standards—specifically regarding provisions under the Wildlife Act 1976 that are deemed insufficient to provide reassurance to the US authorities.

IFA Aquaculture Vice-Chair Catherine McManus said the decision is disproportionate and a blow to Ireland’s premium aquaculture sector, stressing that the determination is based on a technical legal interpretation rather than any evidence of harm or non-compliance within Irish salmon farming operations.

The U.S. ban will affect salmon from aquaculture sources and spiny lobster, while other seafood exports remain unaffected. From January 2026, exports of related products will also require Certificates of Admissibility confirming that consignments contain no aquaculture salmon or spiny lobster.

IFPEA General Secretary Brendan Byrne stressed that the issue is solvable—but only if treated with urgency.

“We need immediate diplomatic effort from all of Government to resolve this issue. The loss of access to the U.S. market not only threatens jobs and investment in coastal communities but also undermines confidence in Ireland’s seafood exports globally,” Brendan Byrne said.

Brendan Byrne warned that the ban will have serious commercial and reputational impacts.

“This is a major setback for Irish aquaculture & the Seafood Processing sector. The U.S. market is small but strategically important, and a ban sends entirely the wrong signal internationally. We need government action—now—not in six months.”

IFA Aquaculture & IFPEA are calling on the relevant Ministers for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) to engage urgently with NOAA and the European Commission to secure an interim resolution and to amend the relevant provisions of the Wildlife Act to align with international equivalence requirements.

IFA Aquaculture & IFPEA will continue to work with government and industry partners to seek reinstatement of export eligibility as soon as possible and to ensure Ireland’s aquaculture framework is fully compliant with evolving international standards.