March 13, 2006

EU and US to harmonise seafood regulations

The EU and the US will harmonise seafood inspection regulations, providing a boost to seafood trade between the two regions.

From Apr 24 onwards, US seafood exports will be able to move freely in the EU and will not have to go through national inspection rules.

Previously, US exporters could not move their products freely in the EU and could only sell to specified EU countries.

The new rules also mean that US seafood is exempt from additional national inspection legislation, which varies country to country.

However, US exporters will still need US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before they can export seafood to the EU.