Published by Danish Seafood Association
It surprised us in Denmark that the EU Commission from 2016 has put in place mandatory test (in EU border posts) of consignments of shrimps from Indian exporters when one test for veterinary residues from that exporter failed passing the test. This is not the 50 pct. control of consignments already having been tested in India, nor is it the 10-in-a-row test (which automatically expires after 10 compliant tests). It is an extented control running automatically without expiry for the Indian exporter (for all consignments) until evt. the EU Commission decides that guarantees are sufficient to get the exporter of the hook and back to normal control. One problem with this has been that also wild shrimps has been tested (One Indian exporter has had 56 consignments tested for veterinary residues in different EU member states – 55 of these has been wild caught shrimps). After Danish authorities intervention the EU Commission has now made it clear in a note to member states that only aquaculture should be tested. So, it seems that many tests are based on pure misunderstandings (probably going back to 2016). It also follows that we want our expenditures for the tests back because importers have to pay for the tests. We also haven’t seen any notice on this 2016-measure anywhere in EU-Journals. Maybe also the only real alternative would have been a total ban for Indian exports (I don’t know), but at least the EU border control should be directed to risk (only controlling aquaculture – if and when it is aquaculture).
One response
Member States should ensure that official controls are carried out on a risk basis and with appropriate frequency. This principle is laid out in Regulation 882/2004 (Article 3). And also in Art. 43 of the incoming Regulation 2017/625.
I think it would be reasonable for the importer to seek clarification, from the competent authority, on the risk basis used for the 100% testing carried out on the wild-caught imported shrimp.