Inspectors from the Food and veterinary Office (FVO) of the European Commission have visited shrimp sector o f Bangladesh on November 7-17, 2005. The inspection team comprised of four inspectors from FVO and one official of the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Bangladesh. The EC inspectors were Stefan Honig, Paulo Luciano, Paul Young and Reinhardt Riemer. The aim of the EC Mission was to reassess the compliances with the special conditions governing imports of fishery products originating in Bangladesh and laid down in commission decision in 1998 and to assess products conditions in aquaculture products intended for the export to the EU. The main findings of the inspection team were mixed. Regarding certification for export to the EU, the mission observed that “the certificates seen by the mission team in the establishments visited were filled in accordance with the Special Commission Decision 98/M7/EC.” The team while commenting on HACCP Plan mentioned that “HACCP Plans are reviewed by FIQC (Fish Inspection & Quality Control) officials to verify their implementation and in the framework of the annual approval procedure. The HACCP Plans contained the necessary elements but did not always reflect the evolving situation in the establishments.” The mission team was very critical about the microbiological and chemical analysis at the FIQC Labs and BCSIR. In general conclusion, the team report revealed that “Officials control of establishments producing fishery products are systematically carried out. Follow up is globally properly performed. However, in certain establishments some deficiencies, despite being recorded by CA, were found to be still present.” It further revealed that “Establishments generally work under good structural & hygiene conditions and have improved and invested significantly since the last FVO mission carried out in 1997.” The EU Mission held a briefing meeting with the Competent Authority (CA) of the Government and presented the findings and recommendation of the mission on 16, November, 2005. At the recommendations, the mission highlighted all components of the compliances i.e. updating legislation to meet the EU requirements, systematic control of the production (from farm to fork) to detect food safety related deficiencies, continue follow up of the enforcement activities with in-depth investigation in time, correction of deficiencies found in the establishments and urgent actions to improve the performance of the laboratories involved in official controls and to improve the reliability of their results.
Meanwhile, the Competent Authority (Department of Fisheries) has supported to the FVO findings and recommendations in due time. The CA at a letter pointed out the steps they have taken and planning to improve the sector. The EU Team Visited in BAngladesh in 2007 and is coming again in November, 2008. It may be mentioned here that the export of fishery products contributes about 5% of the GDP of Bangladesh and makes it second biggest export sector after Ready made Garments (RMG). In 2004, Bangladesh exported 24,200 M. Tons of fishery products to the EU, of which 20,000 M. Tons were shrimp. Main exporting countries are Belgium, United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Germany. A total 68 shrimp & fish processing plants were licensed by GOB, of which 59 are approved by the European Commission (BFFEA Report, 2005). Meanwhile all licensed factories have developed their HACCP based QA Manual & some of these have been verified HACCP System in their establishments following SSOP & SOP. Frozen foods, particularly shrimp products have been playing a vital role in our national economy since independence. Starting with a meager export earning of US$ 3.5 million in 1972-73, it has recorded maximum earning of US$515.32in the year 2006-07 and contributed more than 5% of the GDP (BFFEA Report, 2007).
Meanwhile, the Competent Authority (Department of Fisheries) has supported to the FVO findings and recommendations in due time. The CA at a letter pointed out the steps they have taken and planning to improve the sector. The EU Team Visited in BAngladesh in 2007 and is coming again in November, 2008. It may be mentioned here that the export of fishery products contributes about 5% of the GDP of Bangladesh and makes it second biggest export sector after Ready made Garments (RMG). In 2004, Bangladesh exported 24,200 M. Tons of fishery products to the EU, of which 20,000 M. Tons were shrimp. Main exporting countries are Belgium, United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Germany. A total 68 shrimp & fish processing plants were licensed by GOB, of which 59 are approved by the European Commission (BFFEA Report, 2005). Meanwhile all licensed factories have developed their HACCP based QA Manual & some of these have been verified HACCP System in their establishments following SSOP & SOP. Frozen foods, particularly shrimp products have been playing a vital role in our national economy since independence. Starting with a meager export earning of US$ 3.5 million in 1972-73, it has recorded maximum earning of US$515.32in the year 2006-07 and contributed more than 5% of the GDP (BFFEA Report, 2007).
