Fiji Can Make It Back says EU

The European Union said Fiji can make it back into the list to export fish to Europe.

In an interview with Fijivillage, Trade Advisor for the European Commission Delegation, Andrea Salviati, said the suspension of Fiji's fish exports is not the final step, adding that as soon as the sector stakeholders can ensure the fish exported to Europe complies with health standards, Fiji will be back on the list.

Salviati confirmed the current suspension is not company based but it concerns all fish exports from Fiji to the European market, adding the suspension is to protect European consumers.

Fiji Fish Managing Director, Grahame Southwick earlier said the rejection of Fiji fish exports, is a result of the attitude of the government towards the fishing industry, as he said the EU had warned Fiji a number of times on the matter but nothing was done about it.

It has been reported that according to one of the Official Journals of the European Union, there were risks associated with the EU consumer on July 4th last year, and a rapid alert system for food and feed notification was issued following food poisoning of about 7 people in France after eating Fiji tuna.

The Fisheries Permanent Secretary, Dr Niumaia Tabu-nakawai is expected to comment later today.