Saudi Arabia lifts ban on seafood import

[LahoreEstate]

Friday, March 13, 2009
KARACHI: Saudi government has lifted ban on import of fish and other marine products from cholera affected countries subject to the prescribed conditions.

According to information reaching Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Thursday, an official competent authority will take the responsibility of dealing with all matters related to the export of seafood, freshwater or farmed products from the country of origin to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, a specified government authority will serve as liaison office between the country of origin and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all matters related to the export of seafood, freshwater and farmed products. As prescribed in the guide to the procedure of importing food products to the GCC countries, health certificated for fish and marine products issued by the concerned government authority will be attached with each consignment and it will confirm that it is free from cholera microbe or any other epidemic disease.

In case the seafood, freshwater or farmed products were found contaminated, or there was speared of cholera epidemic in the country of origin, the import of such products will be stopped until the competent Saudi authority is sure about the stability of health conditions in the country of origin.

Upon arrival of marine products to the ports of Saudi Arabia, random samples will be collected for examination at the quality control laboratories. In case of being contaminated with cholera microbe or nonconformity of the product with the standard specifications in the Gulf, the consignment will be rejected and re-exported to the country or origin or will be destroyed.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=166939