Page 39 - FAO Aquaculture News, May 2021 - No. 63

– Responding countries have a notification system Conclusion and recommendations
for food and feed where rejections and detentions – Although countries in the region have food safety
of imported fishery and aquaculture products are regulatory frameworks, these frameworks need to be
reported. enhanced, in particular regarding laboratory analysis,
– Among the responding countries, Turkey is the top market control and hygiene requirements for fisheries
producer of fishery and aquaculture products. and aquaculture products.
Aquaculture Updates by Region
– Due consideration is given to fisheries and aquaculture – The trade of fisheries and aquaculture products plays
in food safety policy and planning. Each country has a an essential role in boosting fish consumption and
designated agency responsible for national food safety achieving global food security by connecting producers
policy and planning. with distant markets for which local supply may
– In the surveyed countries, there is a strong food safety otherwise be insufficient.
regulatory framework for the hygiene of foodstuffs – Common and recurring priorities in the Central Asia
and foods of animal origin. The respective legislation and Caucasus region include developing risk-based
includes specific regulations for fisheries and inspection systems, strengthening laboratory capacities,
aquaculture products. Furthermore, the legislative improving scientific and risk-assessment capacities as
framework includes Codex standards. the basis for decision-making on food safety, improving
– In all responding countries there are formal degree and food import and border control, and coordinating efforts
informal training programmes in relation to food safety. to address issues such as antimicrobial resistance that
– Only Uzbekistan and Tajikistan provided a response require a multisectoral approach.
to the question on the main food safety challenges for
fisheries and aquaculture products. Key challenges
reported by these countries include international
standards, infrastructure, technical capacity and
emergency preparedness (for example COVID-19).

©FAO/G. Napolitano

Fish displayed on ice at market.

38 FAO AQUACULTURE NEWS – Nº. 63 ■ MAY 2021