March 7, 2011
Philippine tuna firms to prepare for EU food safety audit
In order to retain the Philippine fish products' access to the 27-member bloc, preparations have begun for the food safety audit which the EU will carry out on the local tuna industry, a government official said.
Sani Macabalang, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional director for Central Mindanao, said experts from the European Commission-Food Veterinary Office are going to carry out the audit on the country's tuna industry from June 13-24.
"We have already gathered at least 50 fisheries exporters to explain the food safety audit of the EU and the requirements that they should comply," Macabalang said. He also said among the requirements which the exporters need to adhere to are the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) standard and the traceability system that the EU imposed last year in order to crack down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The official noted that besides being a significant contributor to the country's fisheries output, the local tuna industry of this city makes up the bulk of fishery products heading towards the EU and other export markets.
This city, dubbed the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," hosts six of the country's seven tuna canneries, whose major markets also include the US.
