Imports - OVS Note 08/42
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.uk
Immediate suspension of all fishery products from Malaysia
This letter is addressed to Border Inspection Posts in England only.
I am writing further to my colleague Ian Grist’s email of 19 June 2008, to advise you that the Commission has notified EU Member States by fax of the outcome of the 18 June meeting of the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) at which fishery products from Malaysia were discussed. The purpose of this letter is to inform BIPs of the Commission’s advice.
The Commission has confirmed that the Malaysian authorities asked the Commission on 17 June 2008 to de-list all Malaysian fishery establishments and freezer vessels from the EU approved list. The Malaysian authorities have also suspended the certification of fishery products intended for the EU market from 17 June. Fishery products from Malaysia cannot therefore be produced and certified for export to the EU from 17 June 2008.
However, consignments of fishery products from Malaysia produced and certified before 17 June may be accepted into the EU.
Background
A recent inspection of the services in Malaysia by the Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), revealed serious hygienic shortcomings throughout the production chain of fishery products. Such deficiencies were likely to lead to harmful contamination of fishery products for human consumption and could cause a serious risk to consumer health. The inspection visit also revealed a lack of proper sanitary controls by the competent authorities of Malaysia.
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 FSA’s imports section is available here.
BIPs 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
Carol Scott
Imported Food Branch
Enforcement Support Division
Page published:
1 July, 2008