The Union Government has taken steps to bring aquaculture in Myanmar in line with international standards by allowing farmland to be used for other purposes, but farmers can exploit this opportunity only by employing Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP).
Besides, aquaculture farms that have obtained permission for exporting to European Union countries would need to ensure GAqP to be able to continue exports.
The government’s push for GAqP is aimed at not just producing food for export, but also ensuring safe and healthy food for local consumption.
To conserve fish resources and ensure food safety, not only fish farms, but also those involved in the food production chain are required to follow the rules and regulations set by the government.
Some farms got the opportunity to export aquaculture products to the EU after good laboratory results for chemical residues in aquaculture products from Myanmar.
To ensure the safety of all food, the European market requires suppliers to have Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) certificates.
Earlier, only fish caught in the wild were permitted for export to the EU market.
As export of Myanmar’s farmed fish is now allowed to the European Union, breeders are making preparations to ensure Myanmar fishery products meet the regulations of importing countries, including the European Union (EU), according to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation (MFF).
Hence, those who are taking a leading role in both public and private fishery sectors are urged to take advantage of this situation, make the best use of their experiences, and use innovative methods to put the country’s fishery sector on the right path.
Earlier, breeders did not understand GAqP. Now, they have come to understand the EU import standards and are willing to produce fishery products using GAqP to find more foreign markets.
The government is also obliged to raise awareness about GAqP in the private fishery sector through its staff and provide assistance related with fishing technology to fishery department staff to promote the sector.
Meanwhile, farming systems, including mixed farming, which cannot guarantee export quality and food safety should be banned as soon as possible.
To penetrate the global market, GAqP is a must for breeders.
GNLM
