Fiji has welcomed the officials of European Union to audit its fishing industry. They will check whether Fiji can resume fish exports to the once $53million a year market. Fiji faced ban imposed by the EU last year because it was not satisfied with fish production monitoring processes here. Food scientist Jope Tamani, of the Health Ministry’s new Food Unit, confirmed the visit, saying they were prepared for it.
Tamani also informed that the EU officials will first inspect the unit itself being the “competent authority” that inspects and approves fish products. He told that despite limited resources, the Government has been able to set up the unit with seven staff members. It has developed a monitoring system similar to the EU model.
It is told that the audit will cover the fishing industry and other government arms, ice plants, cold storage and the USP’s Institute of Applied Science laboratory. Exporting company Fiji Fish also believes the industry is prepared for the visit. Director Graham Southwick says his company, which earned about $6million from the EU market before the ban, suffered heavily. He added that the changes introduced by the Government have put exporters on a level playing field with foreign exporters.
