Where did the fish or fish products we buy in stores come from? The answer to this question can be obtained by a specialized electronic system of traceability of the origin of aquatic biological resources and products from them.
This is stipulated by the draft law “On ensuring the traceability of aquatic biological resources and/or products produced from aquatic biological resources”, registered the other day in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (registration number 9545 dated 07/31/2023). it is stated in the article of the magazine “Animal Industry Today” Acting Head of the State Fisheries Agency of Ukraine Ihor Klymenok.
The draft law is a legislative initiative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and was jointly developed by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the State Fisheries Agency, the State Production and Consumer Service and the Office of Effective Regulation (BRDO).
Why is this important?
Traceability makes it possible to obtain information about the history, source of origin and suitability for consumption of aquatic biological resources and products from them. It also allows you to prove the legality of the origin of aquatic biological resources and products from them.
This will be an important step for Ukraine in the fight against IUU (illegal, unaccountable, uncontrolled) fishing.
It will also contribute to bringing the domestic legal system closer to EU standards.
Expected changes:
The draft Law also provides for the creation of an electronic system of traceability of the origin of aquatic biological resources and products from them, which will become a component of the Unified state electronic management system of the fishery industry. This will make it possible to collect and process information on actions with aquatic biological resources and products from them.
The document applies equally to both commercial fishing and aquaculture.
The document provides for the introduction of the following certificates, which are provided for by the regulations of the European Union:
the origin of aquatic biological resources (Certificate of Origin);
catch of aquatic biological resources (Catch Certificate);
re-export of aquatic biological resources (Re-export Certificate);
certificates on the processing of traceable aquatic biological resources and/or products from them, which are mandatory for customs clearance of traceable aquatic biological resources and/or products from them during export-import operations and re-export.
What will it do?
For business entities, this will create a transparent business mechanism, help reduce risks from unscrupulous competitors, remove barriers to free trade with the European Union
For the state, this will contribute to the minimization of corruption risks, and the involvement of new business entities in the fishery industry.
And citizens, in turn, will be able to clearly understand how and from where certain fish products came to their table, and be sure of their quality.
Thus, with joint efforts, we will become one step closer to Europe and the post-war development of Ukraine.
