Certification needs for ornamental fish imports to European Union

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board in collaboration with the Ornamental Fish International (OFI) organised a seminar with the objective of creating awareness among the aquarium fish exporters and the relevant Government officials on new regulations to prepare them for the new certification procedures.

The European Union has imposed new changes in the EU import Directive with effect from August 1, 2008. The main aim of this Directive, which was adopted in year 2006, is to adopt EU import legislation to OIE standards and the WTO agreements.

Since the European Union is the major market for aquarium fish from Sri Lanka, regulations imposed by the union will directly affect to the aquarium fish industry in Sri Lanka.

The seminar was conducted by Secretary General, Ornamental Fish International (OFI) Dr. Alex Ploeg.

Leading exporters in the aquarium fish industry in Sri Lanka and senior officials from the relevant Government institutions such as Sri Lanka Customs, Department of Animal Quarantine and Health, National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), National Aquatic Resources and Research and Development Agency (NARA) and the Department of Fisheries also participated.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman, EDB, Anil Koswatte said having identified the ornamental fish industry as an export sector with a vast potential for the development of rural areas the EDB is playing a role of a coordinator and facilitator for the private sector entrepreneurs in the ornamental fish industry.

Provision of necessary information on markets, organising participation in trade fairs, implementing supply development and quality improvement programmes are some of the activities undertaken by the EDB.