Bayani B. Fredeluces, executive director of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., informed that two sectors of the tuna industry — fishing and canning — are expected to be affected by Europe’s regulation slated to take effect January 1, 2010. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has started consulting tuna industry players regarding Europe’s regulation aimed to stem illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing around the globe.
Fredeluces told that they will ask for clarifications on this policy and perhaps an extension of the deadline. It is said that the new EU policy required the tuna producers to provide a catch certificate that details where the stocks where caught and the volume or in other words the traceability of the supplies. Fredeluces added that this policy may develop as a non-tariff barrier on the Philippine side.
Fredeluces also said that canned tuna producers, under the same policy, should also not accept stocks that have no catch certificate, otherwise the goods will not be accepted in Europe. This new EU policy will also affect Filipino fishing vessel operators as they need to infuse more capital to upgrade their fleet to comply with the handling requirements imposed.
Francisco J. Buencamino, Jr., executive director of the Tuna Canners Association of the Philippines, told that they will reportedly submit a formal request to the European Union, through the BFAR and DTI, their request for postponing the implementation of regulation and other concerns.
