October 25, 2010

Bangladesh calls back for shrimp exports to EU

Bangladesh has reportedly requested the EU to withdraw the 20% mandatory testing of frozen food consignments exported from the country to EU countries.

There were 54 incidents of rejections of fresh water shrimp consignments exported to the EU that cast corrosive effects on export trade of Bangladesh with the EU. Bangladesh made the appeal when a trade delegation recently visited Brussels for resolving problems regarding export of frozen food from here.

The delegation held talks with the relevant authorities to resolve the impediments with regard to export of frozen food from Bangladesh. EU is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh.

In line with their concern, the European Commission's health and consumers directorate - SANCO - monitors and proposes new laws and in compliance with the regulations on the imported food items including frozen food from Bangladesh.

An EU-SANCO delegation visited Bangladesh earlier this year to evaluate quality of frozen food being exported from here and on return home submitted its report along with 12 recommendations including the one of 20% mandatory tests of consignments that creates impediments now for the export.

Bangladesh by sending its delegation to the EU headquarters in Brussels discussed matters relating to export of frozen food and the impediments created due to imposition of 20% mandatory checking of consignments. The delegation conveyed all measures taken by the authorities concerned to develop the food safety system and determine the strategy as to how to lift the mandatory checking.

As reported, the chief of SANCO highly appreciated the Bangladesh authorities for the immediate initiatives by all the stakeholders for high quality frozen food export to the European market. Satisfaction of the importers comes first for any business and that must be maintained at all costs.