Imports - OVS Note 08/12
Potential EU Commission Legislation regarding imported fishery products from Fiji, Gabon, Uruguay and all products of animal origin from China
At the last meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), a number of issues were discussed and it is likely that action will be taken shortly by the EU to deal with them. The purpose of this letter is to alert BIPs to the following proposals and to advise on action as regards fishery products from Fiji.
a) Proposal for a Commission Regulation to de-list Fiji.
The FVO recently carried out a mission to Fiji regarding controls on fishery products. Major deficiencies were identified. A future Regulation is expected to remove Fiji from the approved list of third countries for exports of fishery products (List II). Technical assistance will be provided to the Fijian Government to help them regain their status.
Action
Officers at BIPs are NOW requested to undertake 100% physical checks on consignments of fishery products from Fiji, until the Regulation comes into effect.
b) Fishery Products from Gabon.
Following a Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) mission to Gabon, where deficiencies were recorded, it is proposed that a Commission Regulation will be introduced for all fishery products entering the EU from Gabon. This is likely to mean that 100% of consignments will have to be tested for heavy metals, as well as sulphites
c) Amendment to the list of all fish processing establishments in Uruguay.
A mission by the FVO was undertaken in Uruguay and, as a result, changes will be made to the list of approved fishery products establishments and some will be removed from the approved list. The Agency is not yet aware which establishments are affected.
d) Proposal for a Commission Decision amending Commission Decision 2002/994/EC concerning certain protective measures with regard to the products of animal origin imported from China.
The draft Decision will add Malachite Green and Crystal Violet to the contaminants for pre-export analysis. China has the ability to check for these contaminants. However, consignments tested in the transitional period should be held at the port until the result is received. The Decision is expected to come into force on 15 March 2008.
When the implementing measures are issued by the Commission, we will write again in the normal way.
The advice contained in this letter should not be taken as an authoritative statement of the law or its interpretation. Only the courts can decide whether in particular circumstances an offence has been committed.
If you need any more information let me know. The Agency has an imports section on its website that can be found at www.food.gov.uk/imports
Yours sincerely
Mary Heaton
Imported Food and Food Standards Enforcement Division
Page published:
6 May, 2008