The EU is expected to ban Malaysian seafood imports tomorrow (June 18, 2008) but the Malaysian government has asked for a six-month grace period so that it could comply with EU regulations on seafood imports.

Malaysian exporters needed time to outfit their vessels with the necessary equipment and facilities, said Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai. He said Malaysia completed the paper on fulfilling EU regulations in 2007 and is still in the process of implementation so they are appealing to the EU for the grace period.

The government had also sent a delegation to meet EU representatives, Liow said, adding that his ministry would meet exporters and related parties in the supply chain to discuss the importance of meeting EU standards.