August 10, 2007

Indonesia argues grouper exports to China toxin-free
 

Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) has argued that the country's 'kerapu' fish (grouper) exports to China are free of dangerous contaminants.

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine recently (GAQSIQ) claimed that routine sample tests had revealed processed fish imports from Indonesia were tainted with mercurial and cadmium residues that exceeded approved limits. Consequently, China has temporarily banned imports of Indonesian fishery products.

According to Made L Nurjana, Director General of Fish Breeding, Indonesia's kerapu fishes are raised in ponds with good quality water. Nurjana said that kerapu are exported live to China, and dangerous contaminants if present, would have killed the fish before they arrived at their destination.

China's demand for kerapu includes both fresh and processed fish, he said.