Tuesday June 10, 2008 Possible EU ban on local seafood
By DAVID TAN
GEORGE TOWN: Seafood products from Malaysia face a possible ban in the European Union (EU), which is proposing measures to suspend their import on the grounds that they do not meet EU health standards.
The Commission of the European Communities recently drew up a draft proposing emergency measures suspending the import from Malaysia of fishery products intended for human consumption.
The draft, which is available on the EU website, will be mooted on June 18, after having been postponed from June 2 earlier.
StarBiz learnt that the draft was drawn up after a visit in April by representatives of the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office and Malaysian health authorities to the country's seafood processing companies and their facilities.
These facilities include landing ports, fishing vessels and seafood farms.
Random checks were made on nine seafood companies exporting to Europe. Of the nine, six were found to be lagging in health standards and practices set by the EU.
The six have been blacklisted from exporting to Europe with immediate effect.
In 2005, the EU’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health had informed the Malaysian authorities to ensure that the health standards in seafood production facilities and infrastructure complied with those in EU.
The April visit was to verify the extent to which the Malaysian authorities had adopted EU health standards.
Some 40 to 50 seafood companies in the country export to Europe.
According to the draft, some two-thirds of the vessels and establishments visited were found to be not in compliance with EU requirements.
It also highlighted the lack of traceability and counter-measures to check the spread of diseases.
Seafood products are the second largest edible item exported by Malaysia and generate billions of ringgit annually.
It is learnt that the Malaysian health authorities have replied to the EU on the matter.
A spokesman for the Malaysian Frozen Foods and Processors Association (MFFPA) said he hoped the Malaysian Government could persuade the EU not to impose the ban.
“The Malaysian authorities must promise to step up enforcement professionally, not just at processing factories but also at landing ports and fish farms.
“The MFFPA, which has about 20 members, is now working with the International Trade and Industry Ministry, Health Ministry, and the Agriculture & Agro-based Industries Ministry and the relevant authorities to find a solution,'' he said.
The proprietor of a Butterworth-based seafood company said the importers' association in Europe would be lobbying via representatives to vote against the June 18 proposal.
“This emergency measure will be to immediately send back to Malaysia all seafood consignments to Europe,’’ he said.
本周最热论坛帖子
发表于 22-5-2008 09:59 PM
1650 
13
