TUGUEGARAO CIY, Cagayan – To intensify its information drive and advocacy campaign on the importance of food safety among imported frozen fisheries products, the fisheries Bureau here orients fish workers and public market supervisors in Cagayan province on Fisheries Administrative Order Nos. 195, 259 and other food safety protocols for fisheries products.
Earlier, the Bureau launched its awareness and advocacy movements on the FAO 195 which establishes the rules and regulations governing importation of fresh/chilled fisheries and aquatic products to inform the market vendors on the prohibited imported frozen/chilled products from being sold in the local markets or any platform as the order focuses on the Institutional Buyers (IBs) only.
The FAO do not encourage imported fishes such as pampano, whole round squid, salmon heads and salmon belly from being sold in wet markets and “talipapas” due to food safety reasons. As stipulated in the provision, importation of these products is not prohibited; however, these should only reach the IBs such as canneries, restaurants and fish processing plants as stipulated in the order. This is to ensure that imported products will not compete with the local production.
Meantime, DA-BFAR 2 Chief Dr. Angel B. Encarnacion announced that the Bureau will use the “education vs. apprehension” approach as campaign strategy.
“We need to inform our LGU-counterparts, the fisherfolk who are involved in marketing and trading of imported fisheries products covered by the FAO before apprehending them and ensure that everyone is informed and updated on the content of the FAO through series of orientations in different parts of the region”, says Encarnacion.
Important tips on the proper handling of fish and fishery products were imparted to the participants of said activity by Postharvest Expert Glennys R. Llanto.
Meantime, Dr. Emma L. Ballad, head of the Regional Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Section lectured on the salient points of FAO 195 and 259 series of 2018 which establishes Rules and Regulations on the Importation of Frozen Fish and Fishery/Aquatic Products for Wet Markets During Closed and Off-Fishing Seasons or During the Occurrence of Calamities.
Relevant and pressing issues that might arise in the implementation of the provisions of the FAO were discussed and came up with possible solutions to address them.
Further, Dr. Ballad sought support from LGU-partners to help the Bureau in its awareness campaign activities in their respective areas to protect the welfare of small-scale “fishpreneurs”.
Also present in the orientation were Atty. Arsenio S. Bañares, Chief of the Fisheries Management and Regulatory Enforcement Division, Mr. Sherwin D. Buguina, Head of the Fisheries Law Enforcement Group, Dr. Jefferson K. Soriano, Food Safety Focal Person, Ms. Jennifer T. Tattao, Provincial Fishery Officer -Cagayan and other DA-BFAR 2 Staff.
Similar activity will also be conducted in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya. ##
