FFA started a workshop to train personnel as fish export officers and inspectors to certify products as meeting EU and US export standards opened today in Pacific Harbour, Fiji. The press release of FFA states that it will train 17 people in safety of seafood exports as required for what is known in the EU as a Competent Authority – an independent government based body responsible for controlling the standard of seafood exported through inspections and audits.
According to FFA countries without competent authorities cannot export fish to the EU. Currently, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands have Competent Authorities. Staff from these countries and from countries exporting fish that may want to develop Competent Authorities (Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu) will attend the 3-week training.
It is mentioned in the release that the there will be variety of subject covering the training such as implementation of inspection, approval and surveillance; export requirements to US and EU; export certification requirements; hazards in fishery products to name a few. FFA Fisheries Development Advisor Robert Stone said that currently two Pacific Island countries have Competent Authorities and can export fish to the EU but all eight countries participating in this training export fish internationally and can benefit from trained staff to assure seafood quality.
