July 31, 2009
India, Russia sign seafood exports agreement; ban withdrawn
India has signed an agreement with Russia on a new administrative arrangement for shipping of fish and seafood products between the two countries.
Following this, the proposed ban on Indian seafood exports to Russia has been withdrawn.
India was led by Leena Nair, chairperson of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), and Russia by N.A. Vlasov, Deputy Head of Federal Service of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS).
The aim of the administrative arrangement is to ensure food safety and quality control for shipment of seafood products and to define the terms of export for more than 45 Indian fish processing establishments.
The agreement also details the modalities of cooperation in the fields of quarantine and inspections during export and import of products processed from wild catch and aquaculture.
The document has underlined the increased authority and responsibility of the Export Inspection Council (EIC) of India in their recommendation and approvals for export to Russia.
The EIC and FSVPS also recognised the necessity of continued dialogue regarding increasing future shipments from India.
