(vasep.com.vn) In May 28th 2012, National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) has promulgated the official letter No. 766/QLCL-CL1 on introducing French Polynesia’s new requirements on controlling imported crustacean.
According to NAFIQAD’s official letter, in April 11th 2012, authorities of French Polynesia issued the order No. 0486 CM amending the order 651 CM of May 7th 1998 relating to zoosanitary and hygiene requirements for importing products of animal origin into French Polynesia. The order 0486 CM has taken effect since April 19th 2012. NAFIQAD recommended seafood exporters to obey some requirements of the order as follows:
- Fully-shelled raw decapod crustaceans (shrimps and crabs), carapace and cephalothorax removed, de-veined (applied to shrimp), frozen, prepared and packed for retail sale and a label is sticked on the packaging of which in French and read as follows: “Do not use as fishing baits”.
- Decapods products which do not obey the above treatment conditions must be pasteurised, cooked or heat-sterilised according to the thermal treatment provided by the Aquatic Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health according to the disease agent, the species and the health status of the country, area or compartment of origin concerned.
Because Vietnam seafood is affected by White Spot disease, crustacean products are subjected to treatment temperatures at least 60°C for 1 minute. Seafood processors and exporters should pay attention to French Polynesia’s new requirements and actively adjust production chain and quality management in producing seafood products exported to French Polynesia in compliance with the importer’s requirements.
KT