May 16, 2012

China will not ban India's seafood

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India has rejected the rumours that, starting June 1, China will prohibit seafood exports from India.

In a press release issued in Kolkata on Tuesday (May 15), the MPEDA has said that 1st June is the proposed date of implementation certification requirement as per the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

The Authority has also reassured the seafood export sector of the country that any issue with respect to the exports of seafood would be resolved in seafood exporters' favour.

The release said People's Republic of China has brought in a notification during late May 2011 bringing in an Inspection and Quarantine Certification which has to accompany all the seafood exports to China.

"It is widely rumoured that China is going to ban Indian seafood exports from 1st June 2012. But it is not correct and 1st June is the proposed date of implementation of the certification requirement," said the release.

The MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India had approached the Chinese Authorities through Embassy of India in Beijing on this issue.

The format of Inspection and Quarantine Certification issued with respect to marine products export from the Republic of India to the P R of China has been accepted by the Chinese Authorities. The Export Inspection Council of India would be issuing the required certificates for seafood exports to China.

Exports of seafood from India to the P R of China would not be hindered by the said notification, the release said.