Kochi, July 20 (IANS) A proposed European Union (EU) guideline - requiring imported seafood to be accompanied by a “catch certificate” issued by a competent authority - is worrisome, say India’s seafood exporters.
The certificate will state the area from where the catch shipped to the EU was made, the method of fishing adopted, the trawler used and all processing details.

The new EU guideline, aimed at preventing, deterring and eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities, comes into effect from Jan 1, 2010. Indian seafood exporters were informed of this last October.

Currently shipments to the EU require only a health certificate and the results of a test showing products are free of banned ingredients.

The existing system, say exporters, is simpler than what’s in store. Moreover, they fear, the official mechanism to issue catch certificates may not be put in place in time.

“We have got in touch with exporters in Thailand and Vietnam who also want more time to implement the new guideline. Their exports are more than ours,” said Seafood Exporters Association of India president Anwar Hashim.

“We are now planning to get in with the Chinese to see if they also want more time to meet this new guideline,” Hashim told IANS.

EU is the largest market for India’s seafood products, accounting for nearly 25 percent of its exports (about 152,000 tonnes), valued at Rs.2,800 crore (Rs.28 billion/$574.5 million) last fiscal.

“The agriculture and commerce ministries have taken up the issue and we have to comply with the guideline. But we really want an extension of the deadline and we wish the EU gives us more time,” Hashim said.

The EU guideline comes in the wake of another, from Russia, that says all shipments to that country must carry an inspection certificate issued by Russian authorities from Aug 1.

Hitherto all that was needed was what was applicable for shipments to the EU.

Alex K. Ninan, a leading seafood exporter, told IANS the new EU guideline was more problematic than meeting Russia’s requirement as more agencies need to work together.

“We are not sure if our authorities will be able to complete all formalities and get the mechanism in place before the current deadline expires because so many agencies have to come together to issue the certificate,” Ninan said.

“For instance, even the boat owner and the harbour nearest to where the catch has been made also have to work together. We need more time and I hope the central government will intervene and get us an extension in complying with the new guideline,” he added.

“Russia accounts for just Rs.300 crore of our exports, but exports to the EU will now cross Rs.3,000 crore. We are hoping that authorities have a pragmatic approach when it comes to certification,” Hashim said.

India exported 602,000 tonnes of seafood products, valued at Rs.8,608 crore ($1.76 billion) in 2008-09, an increase of over 11 percent in volume and nearly 13 percent in value over that registered the previous fiscal.