BD’s Beijing mission seeks govt measures

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: The Bangladesh mission in Beijing has requested the government back home to take necessary measures for inspecting the exporting firms of aquatic creatures with intent to scrutinise compliance requirements.

Sources said the edible aquatic animal products include live mud crab and eel fish.

To this end, the Bangladesh mission has recently written to fisheries department to strictly monitor such firms in order to maintain high quality of exportables to meet Chinese standards.

China has recently allowed 20 more Bangladeshi firms to export edible aquatic animals to its market.

With the new ones, a total of 34 enterprises have been given permission to export edible aquatic animals from Bangladesh to China.

The General Administration of China Customs (GACC) recently contacted the mission regarding five newly-registered firms.

Export consignments of aquatic animals to China are not allowed without ‘clinical compliance certification’ by the state veterinary office, according to a protocol prepared by a Chinese authority.

The firms have been added through different processes, including inspection of the enterprises conducted by the Chinese agency, according to a source.

The GACC earlier urged the Bangladesh authorities to strengthen supervision of the exportables and implement various epidemic prevention systems during exportation, according to the letter.

Previous, the Chinese authorities prepared a protocol in this connection.

Under the protocol, the fisheries and livestock ministry is responsible for the inspection and quarantine of such aquatic creatures up for export to China and the issuance of health certificates.

“The edible aquatic animals shall be examined clinically by an official veterinarian before export and confirmed to be healthy, and that no clinical symptoms of contagious diseases are found and they are suitable for transportation,” reads the protocol.

China earlier imposed a ban on import of live mud crab and eel from Bangladesh since, the Chinese authorities said, harmful bacteria were found in some consignments along with forged certificates.

Some firms allegedly submitted such papers to the Chinese authorities while exporting crab and eel fish.

China found the presence of contaminated substances, estradiol and cadmium beyond the acceptable limit for human health.

Crab and eel are usually exported by air. Currently, such aquatic animals are being exported to China.

China is Bangladesh’s largest trade partner with annual bilateral trade of over $13 billion.

In an interesting development, the Bangladesh Live and Chilled Food Exporters Association recently sought steps to set up a special economic zone near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Data showed crab export was 7,452 tonnes in FY 2022-23, which was slightly below the preceding year. (The Financial Express)