STC Number - 130
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Restrictions on shellfish

Maintained by: European Union
Raised by: Indonesia
Supported by:
First date raised: June 2002 G/SPS/R/27, paras. 127-128
Dates subsequently raised: November 2002 (G/SPS/R/28, paras. 183-184)
Number of times subsequently raised: 1
Relevant documents: Raised orally
Products covered: 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates; 0307 Molluscs, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; flours, meals and pellets of aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans, fit for human consumption.
Primary subject keyword: Food safety
Keywords: Animal health; Food safety; Human health
Status: Not reported
Solution:
Date reported as resolved:

Extracts from SPS Committee meeting summary reports

In June 2002, Indonesia raised concerns regarding an EC prohibition on shellfish from Indonesia due to biotoxic residues that had been applied for two years. The three gulfs in Indonesia which were not free of biotoxins were closed to shellfish fishing. Indonesia had responded to a questionnaire from the European Communities and was waiting for the European Communities to send an inspection team.
The European Communities indicated that given the high risks associated with shellfish, it accepted products only from countries with an approved sanitary programme which included control procedures for the maritime production area. The information provided by Indonesia had given the impression that controls were not mandatory, and in March 2001 the European Communities had sent a further questionnaire. The European Communities indicated that as soon as the reply to the questionnaire was received, an EC evaluation team would visit Indonesia.
In November 2002, Indonesia reported that an EC inspection team had visited Indonesia in October 2002. Indonesia was of the view that the resolution of the problem would have a very positive effect on the fish industry in Indonesia, especially at the production level. The European Communities commended Indonesia for all the efforts that the country had made to meet the safety requirements set out in EC legislation, and hoped that further progress would permit resolution of the problem.