FAO FISHERIES TECHNICAL PAPER 473 Causes of detentions and rejections in international fish trade by L. Ababouch Chief Fish Utilization and Marketing Service Fishery Industries Division FAO Fisheries Department Rome Italy G. Gandini Veterinarian Ministry of Health Ufficio Veterinario Adempimenti CEE Bologna Italy and J. Ryder Consultant Teddington Manor, Teddington, Tewkesbury Gloucestershire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2005
	Table of Contents

Cover photograph:
Tuna fishing in the Mediterranean. Courtesy of Paulo Manzoni. World maps: the trade flow of fish and fishery products to Canada, Japan, the European Union and the United States of America.

ISBN 92-5-105286-7
ISSN 0429-9345

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Contents

Preparation of this document
Abstract
Acknowledgements
Acronyms and abbreviations

1. Introduction

1.1 International trade in fish
1.2 Current impediments to trade
1.3 This report

2. Rules and regulations governing fish and seafood safety and quality

2.1 International context
2.2 The European Union

2.2.1 Border control
2.2.2 Checks at border inspection posts
2.2.3 The rapid alert system

2.3 United States of America

2.3.1 Detention without physical examination
2.3.2 Automatic detention
2.3.3 Import alerts

2.4 Japan

2.4.1 General principles for food imports
2.4.2 The process for fish and fish products on arrival in Japan
2.4.3 Consignments requiring prior approval
2.4.4 Labelling requirements

2.5 Canada

2.5.1 Import product control system
2.5.2 Inspection testing
2.5.3 Monitoring frequencies

2.6 Summary of border control systems for fish and seafood

3. Border cases in the European Union, North America and Japan

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Data sets used

3.2 European Union

3.2.1 Imports of fish and fish products
3.2.2 Border cases
3.2.3 Border cases in the European Union in the context of import volume

3.3 United States of America

3.3.1 Imports
3.3.2 Border cases
3.3.3 Filthy as a reason for seafood detention
3.3.4 Border cases in the United States in the context of import volume

3.4 Japan

3.4.1 Imports of fish and fish products
3.4.2 Import notifications for foods including marine products
3.4.3 Border cases for seafoods
3.4.4 Border cases in the context of import volume

3.5 Canada

3.5.1 Imports
3.5.2 Border cases
3.5.3 Border cases in Canada in the context of import volumes

3.6 Comparison of border cases among major importers

3.6.1 Relative frequency of border cases
3.6.2 Border case patterns and trends
3.6.3 Performance of continents
3.6.4 Access to data for border cases
3.6.5 Type of data recorded for border cases
3.6.6 Ease of analysis of data for border cases
3.6.7 Requirements for harmonization and equivalency schemes
3.6.8 Trade and economic implications
3.6.9 The case of aquaculture

4. Conclusions and recommendations

4.1 Border inspection systems
4.2 Border control data
4.3 Export performance and development assistance

References

Annexes

Relevant regulations, procedures, guidance or standards used by the European Union

A.1 Directive 97/78 Annex II - Border inspection posts (European Union)
A.2 Levels of physical checks on products of animal origin (European Union)
A.3 Documentary requirements (United Kingdom/European Union)
A.4 Microbiological Standards (European Union) - existing and upcoming standards
A.5 Flow chart for transmission of information in Rapid Alert Network (European Union)

Relevant regulations, procedures, guidance or standards used by the US FDA

A.6 A summary of procedures that United States importers must follow when handling food products
A.7 FDA/EPA guidance levels in seafoods
A.8 Import refusal report (United States of America)

Relevant regulations, procedures, guidance or standards in use in Japan

A.9 Fish designated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) or Washington convention (Japan)
A.10 Food Sanitation Law and Quarantine Law (Japan)
A.11 Procedure of import notification of foods and related products (Japan)
A.12 Inspection systems (Japan)
A.13 Allergic labelling (Japan)

Relevant regulations, procedures, guidance or standards in use in Canada

A.14 Bacteriological and chemical guidelines for fish and fish products
A.15 Summary of required testing frequencies (Canada)
A.16 Example alert notifications (European Union)
A.17 Oasis example report (United States of America)
A.18 Example of import alert list (Canada)
A.19 Definitions of product types (European Union)
A.20 FDA guideline on insects as filth

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