September 25, 2006

EU imposes controls on Brazilian seafood imports

EU nations agreed Friday (Sep 22) to impose strict controls on Brazilian seafood as concerns mount over the levels of histamine in shipments.

Histamine is a potentially harmful chemical which can develop in fish in poor storage facilities.

Brazilian seafood would have to be tested and certified to be clear of high levels of the chemical before it would be sold in the EU.

Brazil exports mainly tuna to the EU.

Brazilian exporters who export seafood to the EU without having the right certification would have to bear the costs of any testing required.

Concerns about hygiene in the fishery production process and the reliability of the Brazilian approval procedure for fishery establishments were raised when EU experts visited in June.

Five Brazilian fisheries have been banned from exporting to the EU due to hygiene worries.

The EU also threatened to ban other Brazilian food products unless hygiene is improved.