May 18, 2009
EU resumes seafood exports from six Malaysian exporters
The EU has resumed trading with six Malaysian shrimp and fish exporters on Friday, after complying with the safety standards that ended a one-year suspension of their business.
According to EU statistics, prior to the suspension, 46 companies sent seafood to Europe worth EUR102 million (US$137 million) in 2007.
Malaysia said the EU is the largest importer of the country's seafood.
Malaysia voluntarily stopped shipping seafood to the EU last June to avoid being banned after European inspectors found processors and exporters failed to meet several EU health regulations, including hygiene on vessels and concerns over ice and testing fish.
Over the past year, EU and Malaysian officials worked together to inspect and monitor farms and processors to make sure they met hygiene and other requirements.
US$1 = EUR0.7444 (May 18)
