EC Fish Hygiene Legislation: An Assessment of the Proposals

The proposed EC legislation dealing with hygiene in the fish industry is reviewed, the reaction of industry to the proposals examined and the wider policy implications analysed. The EC proposals for fish hygiene, now in their fourth revision, will apply to all sectors of the fish industry from the point of port markets onwards; they will not now apply to the catching sector. The detailed measures specified are intended to ensure adequacy of hygiene standards throughout the marketing chain, including imports. The requirements for the monitoring and control of standards are dealt with. The proposals are considered to be significant to all industry sectors, although their precise impact will necessarily be varied. Much uncertainty still surrounds the exact implications of their adoption. It would seem desirable that further consultation takes place to ensure adoption of an appropriate and coherent programme from the outset.