Exporting Seafood to the European Union

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Exporting Seafood to the European Union

• Silver Spring
• March, 2009
• S. Vrignaud

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Summary

• NOAA in Brussels
• IUU Legislation
• Update of current discussions
• EU Market trends
• Global and specific information
• EU Regulatory Access
• Certificates - Labeling

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What we do

• NOAA Office in Brussels the unique U.S.
  Fisheries point of contact for EU Institutions
  and other embassies
• Works in collaboration with FAS, APHIS, State
  Dpt., USTR, FDA, FWS
• Provide guidance to all U.S. embassies in Europe
  for fishery related matters
• Provide direct counseling to seafood industry and
  to U.S. Export Assistance Centers.

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Interaction with Industry

• Outreach to the U.S. (ASMI technical meeting,
  NPA meeting, North West Fisheries, Seafood Export
  North East)
• Outreach in the EU (UK Port Health Tour)
• Trade shows (Boston, Brussels and Vigo)
• Specific counseling and research
• Release of blocked shipments (3 Million in
  2008)

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Current Issues

• IUU Regulation
• Veterinary equivalency for shellfish
• Transfer from FDA to NOAA regarding certification
• Monitoring implementation of new EU legislation
  by Member States
• Tariff quotas
• Regular monitoring of EU legislation

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IUU Legislation

• Principle To stop imports of illegally caught
  fish
• Who All EU and third countries fleets
• engaged in fishing
• Regulation 1005/2008 covers the IUU
• framework
• A Catch certificate will be imposed
• to all imports from 3rd countries.

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The Catch Certification Scheme

• All marine fishery products traded with the EC,
  including processed products, shall be
  accompanied by validated catch certificates
• Appropriate flag State authority of the fishing
  vessel(s) which made the catches will validate
  the catch certificate
• The validation must certify that the catch was
  made in accordance with applicable laws,
  regulations and international conservation and
  management measures

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Where are we ?

• More flexible than expected
• U.S. EU discussions on a less burdensome system
• We are confident that it will note create too
  much additional work for industry (were working
  on it)
• However, indirect exportation (to China) will
  have to comply fully !
• Be ready for January 1, 2010

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EU Regulatory Access
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Some basics

• NOAA takes certification over from FDA (June 17,
  2009)
• July 1, 2009 ? New certificate for aquaculture
  products
• August 1, 2010 ? This new certificate will apply
  to ALL fishery products
• FVO audit on U.S. shellfish production system

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Challenges

• Tariffs still high
• Discriminatory regimes amongst species (halibut,
  shrimps).
• New rules every year
• Complex legislation.

• Lack of correct implementation.
• 27 times the EU.
• Differences within a same MS

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Opportunities

• Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
• Production Capacity down.
• TACs Quotas down.
• Overall consumption stable despite economic
  crisis
• Dependence on imports up.

• Hygiene packages 1 and 2.
• Less Regulations / more harmonization.
• Veterinary equivalency agreement

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Technical Barriers to Trade

• Huge number of certificates.
• Slow validation process for the lists of approved
  establishments.
• The Commission doesnt take its responsibilities
  in case of problem.
• MS interpret EU legislation their own way
  (re-enforced list samples).

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THANK YOU