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MFD authorised to certify seafood exports to EC

KARACHI: The European Commission (EC) has authorised Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) as competent authority in Pakistan to verify and certify compliance of fishery and aquaculture products export, it was officially stated here on Thursday.

The Commission in its first decision through a notification of December 21, 1999 has communicated to Pakistan that the MFD has been granted the status of verifying and certifying agency in the country for importation of seafood for human consumption in the Commission.

This decision has been taken after the visit of EC inspectors to Pakistan last year for verifying the conditions under which fishery products are produced, stored and dispatched to the European Community.

Under the decision, the provision of legislation of Pakistan on health inspection and monitoring of fishery products will now be considered equivalent to those laid down in European Community.

It further said that the MFD is capable of effectively verifying the application of the laws in force.

It said that the MFD has provided official assurance regarding the compliance with the rules set out by Standing Veterinary Committee for the approval or registration of establishment, factory vessels, cold stores of freezers vessels of origin.

The Commission has required Pakistan that each consignment must accompany original health certificate issued by the MFD and it should come through approved establishment, factory vessels, cold stores or registered freezer vessels.

It was desired that all packages should bear the world "Pakistan" and approved registration number of the processor, factory vessels, cold store or freezer vessel.

The EC has also sent list of approved seafood processors in Pakistan which are qualified for the export of seafood to European countries.

These are Mekran Fisheries, A.G. Fisheries, Pak Exports, Long Wharf Seafood, Spectrum Fisheries, Coastal Sea Foods, Sea Miles International, Marine Food Industries and People Fisheries.

MFD Director General Moazzam Khan told APP that the department has certified and sent the name of seafood processing factory Ñ Sea Bird Fisheries Ñ for approval.

He said one more company Ñ Golden Fisheries ÑÊhas been certified and its name will be sent to the Commission for approval and added that another name wil be despatched to the Commission in the next two weeks for similar approval.

In its second decision the Commission has upgraded the quality and value of Pakistani seafood products from part (list) II to part (list) I.

Other countries which have also been upgraded from part II to part I, are China, Latvia and Lithuania.

Moazzam Khan said it was the historical achievement for the MFD as it has been authorised by the Commission as a certifying agency in Pakistan.

He said change in the grade will increase the value of Pakistani seafood exports.ÑAPP