EU to ban seafood imports without 'catch certificate'

The Indian seafood export industry might face a serious threat next year as the European Union (EU) has issued a warning saying that it will import only seafood items with a catch certificate. This will be implemented from January 1, 2010, according to the official journal of the EU.

The strict requirement of the catch certificate is based on an EU regulation (EC No. 1005/2008) to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The regulation clearly states that fishery products shall only be imported into European Community when accompanied by a catch certificate in conformity with the regulation.

The catch certificate should be issued by a public/competent authority who has been empowered by a notification issued by the Government of India to attest the veracity of the information contained in the certificate. The agency should also be empowered to carry out verification of such certificates on request of EU member countries.

At present, Export Inspection Council (EIC) is the designated competent authority to attest the veracity of the health certificates for import of seafood into EU. EIC is not legally empowered to issue the catch certificate according to the EU regulations. According to seafood exporters, EIC is not having the infrastructure and personnel to conduct a verification audit of fishing vessels. This is one of the basic requirements for the certifying authority according to EU regulations.