#SFPA – The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) held a bilateral meeting on seafood exports from Ireland to China today with key representatives from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), the organisation that carries out the import controls in China. The meeting took place at the SFPA's head office in the National Seafood Centre in Clonakilty, Co Cork.
In general terms, the meeting emphasised the assurances provided by official controls carried by the SFPA. Key topics discussed involved: risk assessments; health certification; certificate of origin, amongst others. A review of the Memorandum of Understanding then took place at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Representatives from AQSIQ and the SFPA then proceeded to the National Seafood Centre at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) which was followed by visits to several seafood processing establishments.
Micheál O'Mahony, Board Member with the SFPA said: "This visit by AQSIQ allows the SFPA to continue to build on pre-existing linkages with relevant authorities in China responsible for checks and acceptance of Irish fishery products entering China. Our relationship with our Chinese colleagues is an important underlying basis to the continued market access for Irish seafood to China. International trade in food involves reciprocated trust in food control systems and we work hard to maximise the benefit of the high standards which Irish seafood companies adhere to. We are proud to attest to that compliance wherever possible to maximise benefit of such compliance to Irish operators. Our discussions today and in recent months with the AQSIQ build upon our developing relationship with these key stakeholders."
