Irish imports and exports of fish continue to rise
Fish imports into Ireland from outside the EU are continuing to rise, according to figures released by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA).
In 2019, over 4,000 tonnes of fishery products were imported, up 26% on 2018, reports the State body responsible for regulating the sea-fisheries and seafood production sectors.
Fish and fishery products traded into the EU are subject to specific regulatory controls to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) products from entering the food supply chain.
Anti-IUU regulations were introduced as part of EU measures to tackle the estimated €1.1bn in IUU products that were being imported into the EU annually.
Regulation
Under EU regulations, all imports of fish from Third-Countries must be accompanied by a catch certificate which confirms that the fish was caught and declared legally. This includes where and when the fish was caught and by which vessel.
In 2019, the SFPA provided catch certificates for over 11,000 tonnes of exports to Third Countries, representing an 8% increase on 2018. They also provided health certificates for almost 84,000 tonnes of exports, also to Third Countries.
These certificates confirm that the products were handled under ‘satisfactory hygienic conditions’ in an SFPA approved establishment and are accurately described.
Dr Susan Steele, chair of the SFPA, said IUU fishing was a “significant threat” to the future of the industry:
“It creates an uneven playing field and jeopardises the development of sustainable fisheries on which many coastal communities globally rely for their livelihoods, including Ireland, where the fishing industry supports over 11,000 jobs.
“As regulators, we are committed to utilising all the controls available to us to help detect and deter IUU fishing and fishery products within our jurisdiction.”
Seafood safety
Regulation, including health certification also underpins confidence in the safety of Irish seafood products and provides “vital reassurance to retailers, hospitality businesses and consumers home and abroad”, remarked Dr Steele.
“This is especially important given that the seafood sector is one of the main drivers of export growth for agri-food within Food Wise 2025.”
With the world eating more fish than ever before, and a forecast that consumption will increase to 30 kilos per person by 2030, “the opportunity exists for seafood to increase substantially beyond the current figure of over €650m.
“Retaining Ireland’s growing reputation for producing superior seafood is essential and the integrity of the supply chain will be all-important.”
Gerard O’Hare, MD Beagans Ltd, a leading independent customs broker, reiterated the importance of a robust regulatory system.
“The SFPA’s regulatory control system ensures that processors and wholesalers receive a product from an approved source with a traceability chain. This is essential to maintaining the integrity and security of the supply chain, while also facilitating trade.”
Third-country imports
Fish and fishery products from China, Ecuador and India accounted for almost half of the total volume of imports in 2019, while Nigeria, China and Egypt accounted for almost two thirds of the Irish seafood exports outside the EU in 2019.
The SFPA is anticipating and preparing for the possibility that exports to the UK may require health certificates in the future. During the Brexit transition period, EU rules and regulations continue to apply to and in the UK.
The SFPA figures coincided with World Oceans Day (June 8) and World Accreditation Day (June 9) which marks the critical role played by certification in assuring food security and safety.
