Bangladesh and Gabon import restrictions to be discussed

28 September 2011

Bangladesh and Gabon import restrictions to be discussed

The importation of fishery products from Bangladesh and Gabon will be discussed at the European Commission's Standing Committee meeting on 3-4 October 2011. Imports from these two countries into the European Union are currently subject to restrictions: Gabonese imports are restricted by the provisions of Regulation 601/2008 and Bangladesh imports by Decision 2008/630 amended by Decision 2010/387.

All fishery products from Gabon currently have to be tested for heavy metals and sulphites on arrival at the EU border. During the last mission to Gabon in July 2010, the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) delegation reported many significant deficiencies (considerable non-compliances not detected during inspection visits carried out by the competent authority, poor hygiene on the freezer vessels, failures in the cold chain, insufficient reliability of laboratory results and incomplete official controls of fishery products). There were no direct fishery imports from Gabon into the UK in 2010.

All consignments of crustacea from Bangladesh are required to arrive at the EU border accompanied by a test certificate. The certificate has to confirm compliance with European requirements on antibiotic residues. The latest FVO mission to Bangladesh in March and April 2011 noted significant improvements in compliance with EU requirements.

The Standing Committee agenda is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/food/committees/regulatory/scfcah/controls_imports/ag_0405102011_en.pdf