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Seafood testing lab. (Photo: MPA)
Fish and shellfish health control strengthened
BRAZIL
Friday, May 11, 2012, 04:10 (GMT + 9)
Ensuring the health of products and processes related to fish, crustaceans and molluscs is one of the main objectives of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry (MPA) and of the Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Ministry (MAPA) to ensure the development of Brazilian fisheries and aquaculture.
This week MPA has launched the National Network of Laboratories of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Renaqua) and together with MAPA, the National Bivalve Mollusc Hygienic-Sanitary Control Programme (PNCMB).
The presentation was attended by MPA head, Marcelo Crivella, and by MAPA head, Mendes Ribeiro Filho.
The Brazilian government hopes that a greater health control will ensure consumers that the products they purchase are healthy and have good quality.
The production chain of fishery and aquaculture will be benefited by the official certification, as the risk due to health problems can be minimized in the productive activity and this will allow the opening of new markets.
The Network will consist of laboratories from public research institutions, training and extension, of state animal health entities and qualified public and private laboratories.
Renaqua will adopt modern methodologies in the area.
Meanwhile, PNCMB will monitor production in all the sector destined for human consumption, such as oysters, scallops and mussels, among other resources.
The Government intends health control can be developed with the Network for native species with large potential for cultivation, such as pirarucu, tambaqui and pacu.
According to Luis Valle, from Cavalo Marinho, one of the largest mussel producers in the country, "this programme comes at the right time because from December Brazil will perform the first mechanized harvest of mussels with industrial processing."
The entrepreneur said that modernizing the system will reduce production costs and will greatly increase domestic production.
The programme structure was assisted by various researchers, specialists and producers, through public consultation.
PNCMB will take effect 30 days after publication, scheduled for this week in the Official Journal.
Related article:
- Research laboratories and health certification network
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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