Phl told: Amend Fisheries Code

The European Union has threatened to ban marine products from the Philippines unless amendments are made to the country’s Fisheries Code.

Among the amendments that the EU required of the Philippines is the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources which is presently a bureau under the Department of Agriculture.

“They are giving us timetable if dili ma- amend ang atong Fisheries Code and not organized the Department of Fisheries, mapugos sila pagban sa atong exportation sa atong mga products ngadto sa Europe,” said Salimbangon, who chairs the House Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The committee in previous Congress had conducted public hearings on consolidated bills seeking the creation of the Department in lieu of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that was reconstituted by Republic Act 8550 but failed to reach the Senate.

This prompted Salimbangon, who still chairs the committee at present, to re-file House Bill 2313 seeking to strengthen BFAR and to amend RA 8550 otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

“The European Union mao na’y nangusog nga tukuron gyud ang Department of Fisheries aron kahatagan og ngipon ang implementation sa nagkalainlaing balaud mahitungod sa pagproteher sa kadagatan,” said Salimbangon.

Salimbangon said all related bills shall be taken up when the House of Representatives resumes its session on May. House Bill 2313 seeks to further strengthen BFAR by upgrading the bureau director and assistant directors to the ranks of undersecretary and assistant secretary, respectively.

“The higher ranks of these bureau officials will give them position of strength when they negotiate for Philippine fisheries, especially in international trade negotiations and agreements,” said Salimbangon.

The department which creation will be incorporated in the bill shall focus on the conservation, development and utilization of the country’s marine resources and will serve as a regulatory body to adequately guard, conserve and sustainably manage aquatic resources.

Fisheries Administrative Order No. 228 series of 2008 provides for the rules governing the organization and implementation of official controls on fishery and aquatic products intended for export to the EU market for human consumption.

Presently, DA-BFAR is mandated by RA 8550 to implement an inspection system for the export of fishery and aquatic products and fish processing establishments; to promulgate fisheries administrative orders for purposes of fishery regulation; and to establish and maintain quality laboratories in major fish ports and prescribe the highest standards for the operation and maintenance of such post-harvest facilities.

The European Commission Decision 95/190 recognizes DA-BFAR as the competent authority to effectively ensure that fishery and aquatic products exported to the EU comply with EU legislation. — Gregg M. Rubio/FPL