DONEGAL TD Pearse Doherty has called on the Government to do more to defend the seafood industry here in the wake of new Chinese restriction on Live Crab exports.
Deputy Doherty made his comments following a decision last month by Chinese authorities to impose strict new limits on levels of heavy metal ‘Cadmium’ found in crab meat entering the Chinese market.
Deputy Doherty told Donegal Daily today: “Naturally, access to the Chinese market for our crab exporters was a very positive development when it was first granted back in 2010 following bi-lateral co-operation between the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and authorities in China.”
“The Industry has subsequently expanded in recent years and Live Crab exports are estimated to be worth €3 million in value, which means that companies here have benefitted from having gained access to the Chinese market when selling their products.
“However, following recent concerns which I’ve received from Irish crab exporters locally in relation to these new limits which have been imposed on consignments of Live Crab to China, specifically Brown meat Crab, I decided to raise the issue with Minister Coveney in which I highlighted the negative impact which these new restrictions would have on the industry here, and I asked him what assistance was now being provided to exporters to ensure that they would not be impacted by this development."
Response
“The Minister responded by acknowledging the fact that exports have increased in recent years with the help of exports to China however, he said that the new limits were introduced in October following concerns raised by Chinese authorities about the levels of Cadmium in Live Crab shipments from Ireland.”
“The Minister stated that the SFPA has notified exporters of these new limits and that the authority has informed them that the new rules pose difficulties for exporters to now obtain health certificates for Live Crabs intended for export to the country.”
“The Minister also claimed that attempts have been made to raise the issue of these new restrictions with authorities in China in the hope that the limits would be reconsidered however, the Minister conceded that so far these attempts have been unsuccessful.”
“Of course, while I welcome representations which have been made by the SFPA, and the Marine Institute with their Chinese counterparts, the government must take decisive action to resolve this issue.
“It is essential that every effort is made to stand up for our industry here and to defend ours exporters who in recent years have successfully built a good reputation abroad for their products and who have become dependent on these overseas markets – including China – as part of their business operations.”
“I will of course raise this matter with the Minister again and I will ask that he outlines what action he will take to ensure that our industry is properly represented in any future negotiations with Chinese authorities.”