Imports - OVS Note 08/35
This OVS Note was issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Therefore Defra cannot advise on its content. Please contact the FSA for further information. Tel: 020 7276 8018, email: imported.food@foodstandards.gsi.gov.ukFishery products from Uruguay, and potential EU commission legislation for fishery products from Indonesia & Malaysia
This letter is addressed to Border Inspection Posts in England only for information only.
I am writing to let you know that, at the 2-3 June meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), a number of issues regarding fishery products were discussed. The purpose of this letter is to alert BIPs to the outcome of these discussions and to advise on possible action as regards fishery products from Malaysia.
a) Fishery products from Uruguay
We wrote to BIPs on 14 February 2008 (ref OVS/2008/12) regarding this matter and item (c) of the letter referred to possible changes to the list of approved fishery products establishments in Uruguay. A further Food & Veterinary Office (FVO) mission to Uruguay in May 2008 found shortcomings are being addressed and the Commission have withdrawn their proposal to apply safeguard measures to Uruguay.
b) Fishery products from Indonesia
A further Decision is expected to amend Commission Decision 2006/236/EC on fishery products from Indonesia. We understand that the effect of the amendment will be to reduce the additional checks for heavy metals so that they no longer apply to aquaculture, and additional checks for histamines will cease.
c) Fishery products from Malaysia
The Commission advised that a recent FVO mission to Malaysia raised serious concerns about hygiene controls. A draft Decision implementing emergency measures suspending imports of fishery products is due to be discussed at a SCoFCAH meeting on 18 June. It is likely that these measures would come into force with immediate effect from then with no transitional period for products “on the water”.
When these 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.
I hope that this is helpful but if you need any further information please let me know. The Agency’s imports section on our website can be found at http://www.food.gov.uk/imports
Local Authorities may also register for the Agency’s on-line Guidance and Regulatory Advice on Import Legislation system (GRAIL) by following this link: https://grail.foodapps.co.uk/grail/general/home.aspx
Ian Grist
Imported Food Branch
Enforcement Support Division
Page published:
12 June, 2008