INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS CONSIDERED HAMPERING INDONESIAN FISH EXPORTS

Jakarta, 18 Dhulhijja 1435/12 October 2014 (MINA) – Director General of National Export Development (PEN), Nus Nuzulia Ishak considered, a number of international treaties and conventions on fisheries hindering   fish trade and fish products exports from Indonesia.

“In Indonesia we have some issues mostly involve environmental issues, protection of certain animal species and the issue of child labor in fisheries products,” Nus  said,  Antara News monitored by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Sunday.

Nus said  international investment on fishery trade currently are not only influenced by demand and supply factors, but also determined by results of international conventions and agreements.

A current number of fishery commodities trading mechanisms  included international Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, and Agreement of Straddling Stocks.

Moreover,  international protection of  endangered species such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Agreement Technical Barriers to Trade regulating supervision and quality control of fishery also hinder the expansion of international fishing trade.

According to him, standards and different rules in the importing country for the exporting countries aimed to ensure that the product meets food safety requirements is also one of the barriers experienced by Indonesian exporters.

“A wide variety of national standards and inspection system may be creating new trade barriers,” he said.

He added, fishery products from Indonesia has not received the international products certification with sustainable methods as published in The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), although the government has applied for the certificate since 2010. (T/P006/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)