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INFOSA (INFOPECHE unit in SADC region), is the Intergovernmental Organization for Marketing Information and Technical Advisory Services in the SADC region, plans to hold the above mentioned Regional Workshop in Namibia (24 – 26 of November 2009).
Seafood from the SADC region exported to the international markets had a value of over US$1,3 billion in 2007. Africa’s share of fish export value doubled during the last decade.
The increasing demand for fish and fishery products, coupled with technological developments in fish handling (primary production), preservation, added value, eco-labeling and the increasing awareness and demand of consumers for safe and high quality fish have led many countries to undertake a comprehensive evaluation and re-organization of their fish inspection and control systems in order to improve efficiency, rationalize the use of human resources and harmonize approaches.
Certification, eco-labeling and good manufacture and hygiene practices for seafood both capture fisheries and aquaculture has also gathered momentum and these issues need to be understood by the stakeholders, through capacity building initiatives. The coming into force of the new IUU Fish Certification regulation in January 2010 also calls for a proper understanding of the mechanism underlying the regulation.
In this context, INFOSA is organizing a three days workshop in fish quality assurance, eco-labeling and IUU certification to enhance trade in the region.
This three day workshop will aim at discussing these and other related issues for the improvement of the industry, the regional and international organization, the academic institutions and the sanitary competent authorities in the region.
Collaboration to hold the workshop will be sought with the Ministry of Fisheries Marine Resources in Namibia (MFMR) and Namibia Standards Institute (NSI), FAO, WWF, UNIDO, USAID, SABS, NTF, MCS, EU, ICEIDA, NORAD, DFID, GTZ, NFDS, UNAM and other interested organizations.
This workshop is open to stakeholders in the seafood production, processing, trade and consumption of seafood, farmers, fishermen, food processors, transport operators, distributors, certification bodies, NGOs, other related stakeholders (nationally, regionally and internationally) as well as governments officials who have the responsibility of facilitating trade enhancement and creating enabling policies and regulatory frameworks at national levels.
Information about this regional workshop including the tentative program is available here>>.
For more information, please contact Luisa Arthur, Quality Assurance Officer from INFOSA; E-mail: luisa.arthur@gmail.com; Tel.: +264 61 279433; Fax.: + 264 61 279434; P.O.Box 23523; Windhoek, Namibia. |
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