New seafood trade policy to enter EU markets

Irangika Range

SEAFOOD INDUSTRY: Trade of fish and seafood is an important foreign currency earner for Sri Lanka and the Government is keen on providing facilities to develop the seafood industry at national level.

With the GSP plus, many potentials have been created for seafood products exported to the EU countries.

Addressing the inauguration of FAO-EDB-INFOFISH workshop on "Trade Policy and Emerging Safety Requirements in Seafood Marketing, FAO, Resident Representative Pote Chumsri said the EU has put into force an new regulations on the hygiene of foodstuffs and a new directive on mandatory labelling of all compound ingredients in foodstuff for Exporting countries might result in non-tariff issues.

But lack of knowledge on how to undertake risk analysis and achieve full-chain tradability of fishery products are required prior to entering EU markets. Third countries will have to label their products with clear indications on commercial designation, production methods and catch area of the fish. Adequate measures to respond to these new requirements need to be taken by the seafood-processing industries in exporting countries.

He said this database and the workshop are two outcomes of the FAO Regional Project, strengthening national capabilities in sea food trade policy, including risk assessment and tractability operated in eight countries.

FAO's technical cooperation program has allocated US$ 376,000 to fund this project. The project will enhance the capability of the countries in the Asia Pacific region to deal with new requirements of seafood trade with special reference to WTO agreements, risk assessment and tradability of fishery products.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Ministry's Director General , A.Hettiarachchi said Sri Lanka exports fish at a volume of 20,000 tonnes and earns nearly US$100 million. But the country spends around US$ 1000 million to import 75,000 tonnes of dry fish and canned fish.

To reduce this gap, the Government would implement many development programmes to encourage the local fishing industry.

It will provide interest free loans for fishermen to purchase large scale fishing vessels. It will also establish a plant to process canned fish and to build boats with around US$25 million of New Zealand investment in Galle.

Export Development Board's Chairman Brian Angunawela said that the country can many benefit from the seafood industry.

'Fishermen need to be educated and with the launching of the website www.fishtradenet.com and this project will enhance understanding on requirements of the global fishery trade with respect to international trade, WTO negotiations, addressing current seafood safety requirements such as risk assessment and tradability, including labelling and develop potential at national level to implement a national plan to address these requirements.