Caviar imported, exported or marketed in the European Union must in future bear a label certifying that it is legally sourced and harvested, the EU announced yesterday.
The new rules are aimed at tackling the poaching and subsequent trade of caviar.
Figures from the Central Statistics Office state that Ireland imported seven tonnes of caviar in 2005 worth €50,000. Three tonnes came from France while Great Britain and Iran each supplied two tonnes. In addition, 15 tonnes of caviar substitutes produced from fish eggs, worth €99,000, were imported into Ireland last year. Germany exported 14 tonnes and France exported one.
Although there are no exact figures for the illegal trade in caviar, the EU estimates that the number is significant and that it may at times exceed legal trade levels.
The EU has received information about the illegal market from various agencies and non-governmental organisations in Europe that points to a large depletion of sturgeon stocks in the Caspian Sea.
A spokeswoman for the European Commission said between "five to 12 pieces of caviar are processed illegally" for each piece processed legally.
She said that each member state would be responsible for implementing the new regulations, which come into effect in several months' time.
To comply with the rules, member states must ensure that the origin and year of harvest is listed on tins of caviar. The new rules come under the 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
The EU imports the most caviar in the world, most of which comes from Russia and Iran. Almost half of the caviar produced globally ends up somewhere in the EU. From 1998 to 2003, 550 tonnes of caviar was imported into the EU.