EU ban on Pakistan seafood imports may continue in 2012

News 14:18 13/09/2014
Seafood exports to European countries may not resume this year as the European Union has not included Pakistan in its list of audit under which EU sends delegations for harbour inspections.

EU had imposed ban on seafood exports from Pakistan in April 2007 citing poor hygienic conditions at the harbour. The ban is resulting in a loss of $50 million per annum.
Chairman, Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association (PFEA), Faisal Iftikhar, confirmed that the EU has not planned any inspections for fishery purpose during 2012. But it may issue update programme in June.
Pakistan is trying to meet the 13 recommendations of a previous inspection report based on visit of a team of Food and Veterinary Organisation (FVO) in January 2007. Ambassador Lars Gunnar Wigemark of the
European Union delegation to Pakistan informed the director-general of the MFD, Shaukat Hussain, on Oct 18, 2011, that the Health and Consumers Directorate-General of the European Commission assessed the file presented by Pakistan on Aug 18 which contained information about recent actions taken to address the recommendations of the 2007 Food and Veterinary (FVO) inspection.
The ambassador said that regretfully the assessment concluded that the measures taken so far did not provide necessary guarantees to demonstrate that all the 13 recommendations have been met.
MFD DG told Dawn on Monday that no EU delegation is coming in 2012 but claimed that Pakistan's case is different from other countries.
“We have rectified around 85 per cent of main deficiencies as pointed out by the EU and only 15 per cent of the EU demand needs to be met,” he claimed adding that EU requires documentary evidence from fish catch to export.
He said the MFD will send documentary evidence in the next 15-20 days to the EU on the remaining 15 per cent issues like HACCP, lab testing methods etc.
The MFD DG said that the non-inclusion of Pakistan's name on EU planned visit list in 2012 is not a serious matter as an EU delegation can visit our country any time as MFD is in constant touch with the EU.
The MFD DG said around 500 boats had been modified as per EU requirement.
He said that queries keep coming from the EU, but it does not mean that some kind of permanent ban had been imposed.
“We are hopeful of lifting ban in the current year,” he added.
MFD a month back had called upon an international expert for technical related fund assistance which was funded by EU followed by continuous interaction with UNIDO officials for taking assistance in removing the EU ban.
A UK expert on fishing had arrived on Monday to assist the government on sanitary and phyto sanitary requirement under WTO regime for overall Pakistan's fishing sector.
He said that prior to the ban, Pakistan enjoyed a share of 15 per cent in quantity and 34 per cent in value terms in EU markets out of total fish exports.
Fisheries exporters, however, captured other markets and fetched better prices than the European buyers.
Export of fish and fish products jumped to $156 million in July-December 2011 as compared to $121 million in the same period of 2010. Export in July-June 2010-2011 stood $296 million as compared to $227 million in 2009-2010.
In 2012, 64 per cent of the audits will take place in the European Union, five per cent in candidate countries and 31 per cent in other third countries.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết EU ban on Pakistan seafood imports may continue in 2012 tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

An Giang: Developing climate-resilient marine aquaculture

 |  09:01 16/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.

Vietnam pangasius in China: Stable demand, intensifying competition

 |  10:02 11/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.

Vietnam’s lobster exports set for another strong surge in 2025

 |  08:58 09/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.

Da Nang city takes strong action against IUU fishing

 |  11:12 05/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.

Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel drop nearly 50% in the first 9 months of 2025

 |  09:13 04/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.

Vietnam exports first shipment of 700 tons of tilapia to Brazil

 |  09:42 02/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.

Pangasius Exports in October 2025: Positive Growth Momentum Led by China's Recovery

 |  12:40 28/11/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.

Appeal letter: Calling for Support to overcome the consequences of flooding in the central provinces

 |  10:39 27/11/2025

In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.

Raw shrimp prices remain stable, slight declines in some sizes at the end of October 2025

 |  09:04 26/11/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.

Vietnam’s shrimp exports in October 2025 hit the highest level since the beginning of the year

 |  08:26 25/11/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC