EU team to visit shrimp factories in Dec

KHULNA, Sept 16 (BSS): Exporters are looking to bring back the golden days in the shrimp sector as a European delegation is likely to visit Bangladesh in next December, after five years of its last visit.
The EU team is expected to visit some frozen shrimp exporters, shrimp production and marketing factories in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna during December 5-10 this year, Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) sources said on Saturday.
In 2018, an EU delegation visited Bangladesh, one of the largest shrimp exporting countries in the world, to witness hygienic situation, wages and facilities of the labourers, environment and quality of shrimp production and processing in different shrimp and marketing factories.
"EU has rejected many consignments of Bangladeshi exporters due to the violation of their terms and conditions outlined to ensure quality shrimp export," sources said.
Recently, the EU had sent back some shrimp consignments of a section of exporters for their alleged involvement in various dishonest activities, a BFFEA leader said.
A coordination meeting among the Khulna district administration, Department of Fisheries, BFFEA and concerned stakeholders was held at the DC's conference room on September 4 last.
The meeting requested the stakeholders including the exporters to maintain quality shrimp production and marketing. It also urged the law enforcement agencies including RAB and Coastguard to take steps against chemical use in shrimp in cooperation with the Fisheries Department.
Talking to BSS, Joydeb Paul, District Fisheries Officer of Khulna, said the EU delegation would visit different shrimp production and marketing factories, depot, ice factory, etc.
"The EU team mainly aims to observe the food safety, hygienic and sanitation system, factories' environment and environment-friendly workplace for labourers," he said.
Replying to a question, Joydeb Paul said the buyers had rejected frozen foods, especially shrimp for different causes.
"The buyers received the rejected re-packing consignment later after compliance with their conditions," he added.
When contacted, Sheikh Abdul Baki, Vice-President of the BFFEA, said the country's shrimp traders were taking various steps to maintain the quality of frozen foods.
He urged the shrimp traders, exporters and producers to maintain quality of frozen shrimp in global markets and strictly meet the expectation of the buyers.