Regulations to amend the Fishery Product Regulations L.N. No. 40/1998 (L.N. No. 71/2003)

LEGAL NOTICE No 71/2003 REGULATIONS ISSUED TO AMMEND THE FISHERY PRODUCT REGULATIONS - LEGAL NOTICE No 40/1998 Art. 1 Short Title These Regulations may be cited as the "Amendment No 71 /2003 of the Fishery Product Regulations". Art. 2 Amendments The Fishery Product Regulations - Legal Notice No 40/1998 is amended as follows: (1) Article 25 shall read as follows: " In application of Article 24 of the Fishery Product Proclamation No 105/ 1998, the Ministry of Fisheries delegates to the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Division to enforce the present Regulations". (2) Article 26 shall read as follows: "Organogram of the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Division (Refer to Annex N° 4 as amended) (3) Article 27 is replaced by the folloi,Vfilg new article 27: "Article 27 Responsibilities and Authorities: The Fish Inspection and Quality Control Division shall: a) be responsible for good monitoring and regular control at all levels of the sector: b) be responsible for arranging and implementation of training programs and awareness creation program; c) implement training sessions for professionals involved in harvesting, processing, and marketing of sea food products; d) be responsible for implementation of information services to disseminate information to exporters on standards, technical regulations and certification requirements in target markets including eco-labeling (HACCP principles, ISO 9002) e) have advisory role in the local market and give: i) advise to fishermen on handling of fish on-board fishing vessels: and ii) advise local fish traders on proper curing and marketing: f) observe the local fish market and identify training needs to improve quality; g) hav· legal powers to enforce technical regulations, national standards and san;::uy regulations to all sectors involved; h) collaborate with authorities in importing countries to create confidence in Eritrean products and upgrade the quality control system to minimize the need for extensive sampling; i) be responsible for issuing certificates and maintaining other technical information relevant to certification; j) have overall supervision of the activities of the Inspection Unit; and k) be responsible to other duties and functions related to its overall objectives. (1) The Coftordinato1· shaJI: a) regularly audit the activities of the inspection units during the routine checks; 78 b) report the audit out come to the head for an appropriate corrective action; c) review the research results obtained and the standards developed by the Post Harvest Research, Standards and Training Unit; and d) assist the head of the division in the overall activities. (2) Post Harvest Research, Standards and Training Unit shall: a) carry out post-harvest research and develop standards accordingly; b) establish, develop and improve national standards, sanitary regulations and technical regulations; c) give information on changes of standard regulations from importing ccunt~ies: d) develop quality control manuals and evaluate quality control manuals set up by processors; e) arrange training programs and awareness creation programs at national level; f} conduct training programs for professionals involved in harvesting, processing and marketing of seafood products; and g) undertake training programs to fish inspectors, quality controllers, processors, traders on implementation of HACCP principles and codes of best practices; (3) Inspection Units shall: a) ensure inspection programs are implemented, and collaborate with international agencies and import authorities in inspection works; b) ensure fish inspection, plant inspection and pre-shipment inspection programs are implemented; c) keep record of misconduct committed by establishments and undertake appropriate measures; and d) give recommendation on issues of certification. I) Fish inspection includes: a) monitoring factors affecting environment hygiene, handling at landirg sites and harvest areas and product quality; bl conducting inspection of fish landing facilities and fish atlanding sites/harvest areas and product; c) conducting inspection on hygiene, sanitation and product quality; and d) giving recommendations on any closure of fish shops or landing site. II) Pre-shipment and plant inspection includes: a} implementation of quality and safety inspection of export product: b) carrying out plant inspection based on the national legislation; c) ensuring that the information on samples is relevant to the information stated by the exporter; d} keeping and maintaining sampling records; and e) conducting inspection of the condition of packing and storage of export products." Done at Asmara, this 30th day of Aprtl, 2003 79 l\ .. hmed Baj Ali Mini:::,ter of Fisheries ANNEX4 ORGANOGRAM OF THE FISH INSPECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL DIVISION (COMPETENT AUTHORITY) FISH INSPECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL nlVTSION (f".OMPFTRN'f A ITTHORTTY) - HRA n COORDINATOR INSPECTION UNIT POST-HARVEST INSPECTION UNIT ASSAB INSPECTION UNIT RESEARCH TRAINING MASSAWA ASMARA AND STANDARDS UNIT 80