Fishery products exported from Brazil to the EU must be tested and certified in compliance with European hygiene legislation following a decision by member states yesterday.
The decision follows concerns about the levels of histamine in Brazilian fishery products, hygiene in the fishery production process and the reliability of the procedure which approves fishery products.
Concerns were first raised about the safety of the products following an inspection by the Food and Veterinary Office, based in Co Meath, in June of this year.
The Irish office discovered that five fishery establishments in Brazil were not complying with EU hygiene rules. The EU Commission has subsequently indicated that these establishments will be removed from the list of places authorised to export to the EU.
Under yesterday's decision to test the Brazilian products and ensure they do not exceed the limits set out in the EU's food hygiene legislation, member states will now be required to step up controls on Brazilian products at the border.
In addition, they must carry out testing on non-certified consignments and report all findings through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed and in quarterly reports to the commission. The cost of testing the products will be borne by the operator responsible for the consignment of goods.
The commission is also evaluating other food products imported from Brazil.