Fiji will NOT benefit from fish agreement

Submitted by TemoL on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 07:02

Fiji’s largest fish exporter, Fiji Fish says fish products from Fiji is still banned by the EU, so access under the rules of origin agreement are meaningless.

Under the new agreement between the EU, Fiji and PNG - all fish brought in and processed in their territory can be exported duty free and without quota.

This is irrespective of where the fish is from, as long as it is processed in Fiji and PNG, they are considered as products of these countries.

Fiji Fish's chief executive officer Rusell Dunham said this agreement will only benefit PNG at present as Fiji is banned from exporting fish products to the EU market.

“I suppose of great significance to us is that it doesn’t matter what fish we have at the moment – we are not allowed to export to the EU anyway under the health thing. So – you’ve got one issue in the EU – which is their trade division – and the health issue. They have prevented any product - any fish product from Fiji being exported to the EU. So, it’s really like - being invited to a restaurant but you not allowed to eat.”