Friday, April 14, 2007 Tuna access to EU hinges on sustainable practices
DEEPER penetration of tuna product exports to the vast European market hinges on the ability of industry players to sustain good manufacturing practices that enabled the country to pass the inspection conducted by European Union (EU) food and veterinary experts, a tuna industry leader here said.
Marfenio Tan, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries, Inc., urged the six tuna canneries and various processors in General Santos City to always be guided by EU standards.
"The EU is continuously monitoring us even if we have already impressed them," Tan said in a recent interview.
In a 26-page document, the Union's mission team concluded that majority of the establishments visited have satisfactory hygiene and structural condition.
Also, the mission team said there was a satisfactory analyses results (below the maximum EU limits), in particular for histamine, found in all visited establishments.
The mission team conducted the assessment last October, comprised of three inspectors from the Food and Veterinary Office and two national experts from member states. Their final report was recently made available locally from the tuna federation.
Tan said if European markets offer good prices, tuna exports from the city could increase by 30 to 40 percent.
"We're very happy with the result of the inspection conducted by the EU. However, we should not be complacent but should sustain the efforts to have brighter chances in their market," he added.
Tan credited the improvement and expansion works at the fish port complex in passing the standards set by Europe.
Tan also said programs on fish quality enhancement, such as the conduct of trainings on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure, were factors that helped the industry meet the EU requirement.
These initiatives were undertaken with the assistance of the Growth with Equity in Mindanao, a United States Agency for International Development-funded program. There have been at least 67 trainings benefiting some 3,000 participants in the tuna industry.
"As a result of these initiatives, fish handling, sanitation, unloading system and related practices at the fish port complex have further improved," Tan said.
The EU, aside from United States, is a major export destination of tuna products from Gensan, which hosts six of the country's eight tuna canneries.
Last year, the value of canned tuna exports stood at $174.3 million, taking a 44.6 percent share of the region's top 10 export products, followed by canned pineapple at $110 million or 29 percent share, data from the regional Department of Trade and Industry showed.
In 2005, canned pineapple was the top export commodity of Central Mindanao region at $112.3 million, while canned tuna was only $89 million during the period.
Industry players attributed the low output of canned tuna to the frequent stoppage in operations to accommodate corrective measures in preparation for the EU inspection.
