Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai told that the government has ordered various authorities to audit the companies to overcome weaknesses on the part of the seafood exporters. He said that after the auditing a final list of exporters will be selected to export seafood to the EU.
In a meeting with various stakeholders and Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Lai said that a request for an inspection mission would then be made to the EU’s Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection when Malaysian authorities, including from the Fisheries Department and Health Ministry, were able to assure the EU that all recommendations in the Food and Veterinary (FVO) Inspection Mission 2008 report had been implemented.
According to the minister the inspection mission would include on-site verification that establishments and vessels have complied with EU requirements based on the Malaysian authorities audit. In April the EU had threatened a total ban on nine companies exporting fishery products to Europe showed six after they were found lacking in health standards and practices set by the EU.
According to the ministry a joint committee has been formed to study and audit the companies and a paper will be presented at the Cabinet meeting next week detailing follow-up measures to be taken including possible government aid. There are 46 companies involved in the audit exercise.
