Shrimp processing plant. (Photo: FIS)

Lack of IUU certificates blocks exports

MYANMAR
Monday, February 08, 2010, 09:40 (GMT + 9)

Eight plants are awaiting a certificate to export fisheries products to the European Union (EU). The certificate guarantees that products did not come from illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.

Although the factories received official approval to export to the EU on 18 January following an inspection by EU inspectors last October, they still need the certificate before consignments will be accepted at their destination.

The eight facilities that applied to the Department of Fisheries (DOF) for the IUU certificate are United KMK, Great International Fisheries, Shwe Yamone Manufacturing, May Yu Marine Products, Twin Brothers Seafood Cold Store, Myint Myat Hein, Ghani Win International Modern Processing Plant and Cold Store and General Food Technology Industry from Yangon, Myanmar Times reports.

On 14 January, the EU’s official journal stated that Myanmar had been allowed to export only wild-caught frozen fisheries products, that is, freshwater or seawater fish, shrimps and prawns.

Gerard Roessink, a Dutch fish inspector and advisor on how to meet EU standards, said Burmese authorities must demonstrate their execution of a Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP) before it can export aquaculture products.

“Myanmar has not made an RMP yet and some of the parameters tested cannot yet be tested in [the] country,” he said.

In January 2009, 23 factories, three landing sites, three fish farms and two fishing vessels were ready to host EU inspectors, but only eight factories and two landing sites were reviewed in October.

The DOF is working for the first time to issue catch certificates guaranteeing that products meet IUU standards, a spokesperson said.

“We will need to issue the certificate even if the fish are going to a country outside Europe if they are going to re-export to Europe,” the spokesperson added.

Some 80,000-100,000 tonnes of fish are shipped to Thailand, where value is added to them before they are re-exported to the EU, said DOF Director General U Khin Ko Lay.

The EU’s requirements could impact the amount of illegal foreign fishing vessels venturing into national waters, according to DOF.

“There are about 300-400 fishing vessels that catch about 50 tonnes of fish per vessel engaged in illegal fishing in our territorial waters,” said a Myanmar Fisheries Products Processors and Exporters Association spokesperson.

Myanmar only exports 5-10 per cent of its fish to the EU, but the scheme would affect illegal fishing globally, the spokesperson said.

“Countries from Southeast Asia are complying with EU regulations not only on food safety, but also on illegal fishing. It is important to be in compliance if there is any intention to export to the international market,” stated U Han Tun, executive vice-president of Myanmar Fisheries Federation.

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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