Inspectors of European Union (EU) Food and Veterinary Office on Monday visited the offices of Marine Food Department (MFD) and Karachi Fish Harbour to examine the laboratory facilities and sanitation at the fish harbour. EU delegation consisting of Rui Space Ludovino, M/s Eva Bencini, Paulo Luciano and Reinhard Reimer, first visited MFD's office to examine the testing facilities at its laboratory for seafood quality being shipped to EU countries.

It may be noted that EU has authorised MFD to issue quality certificate to seafood products being exported to EU countries.

Earlier, in the morning EU mission had already paid a surprise visit to the fish harbour and inspected modified fish holds and inner lining of few fishing boats.

The mission was briefed about the working at MFD and the fish harbour by the officials.

The mission which is in Pakistan to re-asses the quality of seafood production and packaging, visited auction hall, landing area, chillers, peelers sheds and approved seafood processing plants at the harbour.

They also took photographs of various facilities at the fish harbour.

On the basis of their visit, the mission will evaluate whether the production of fish and fisheries products being exported to EU countries could still be considered as equivalent to the commodity requirements of the Council Directive of the Union.

The evaluation will cover the entire fisheries products including production chain5 vessels, landing areas, auctions, establishments potable water, ice facilities, shrimp peeling facilities, surrounding environment.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005