Introducing seal of quality for shrimp industries

Due to detection of some bacterial attack in our exported shrimp, the European Union imposed ban on import of frozen shrimp and fish from Bangladesh in July 1997 and advised the Bangladesh government to implement HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) system in shrimp industries for hygienically safe production of frozen food. For implementation of the system by the shrimp industry the government along with the BFFEA (Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association) obtained experts' services from the USFDA, EU, FAO/ WHO, SGS and others sources. The government promulgated Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Rules in December 1997 to implement the programme.

The EU experts visited Bangladesh to inspect the arrangement made by Bangladesh. The experts were satisfied by the government/BFFEA efforts in this respect and the EU ban on import of frozen fish from Bangladesh was lifted in 1998. Now 51 shrimp industries of Bangladesh hold HACCP approval from the EU. After introducing HACCP system in shrimp industry the hygienic and sanitation condition of the factory improved significantly. As a result of which bacterial contamination in Bangladeshi frozen food reduced a minimum level and this was acclaimed internationally. It may be mentioned here that export of frozen shrimp has increasing in volume and value day by day.

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Despite relentless efforts for producing safe food there are some cases of bacterial attack in their products. By the blessings of our media, this has got wide coverage in the newspapers which ultimately damaged our image in the country and abroad tremendously. On the other hand due to machination of some vested groups some allegation against Bangladesh shrimps products was raised. However it has to be admitted that HACCP system could not attain the desired goal due to ill-planned implementation. It is very sad that due to image problems Bangladesh is yearly losing about 10 per cent in respect of value from neighbouring countries.

These are the findings of ATDP experts for getting lower prices for our products:

1. Substitution of product already inspected by buyer's representative.

2. Deliberate non-delivery of contracted shipments at agreed prices when market prices increase.

3. Shipping frequently not available as scheduled.

4. Not shipping contracted breakdown or size assortments.

5. Substitution of quality standards (2nd grade product labelled as 1st grade product).

6. Soft or broken shells included in 1st grade product.

7. Soaking shrimp for weight gain, chemicals used not declared.

8. Blending sizes -- not all shrimp in the declared size range fall within that size range.

9. Excessive neck or hanging meat by international standards.

10. Some exporters take non financial responsibility for rejected product.

11. Negotiating contracts 4 to 8 weeks ahead of shipping date leads to increased market risk and decrease in offer prices.

This finding does not bear the whole truth. Buyers also take the chance of circumstances and subsequently cancelled contracts or reduced prices yet we have to do something concrete for image building of Bangladesh in global market.

Experts opined that introduction of a seal of quality program with strict sanitary, environmental, social and human rights standards is urgently needed to continue access of Bangladesh shrimp to the world market. Without such a standard, Bangladesh will faces possible economic disaster as international buyers and consumers threaten sanctions because of pathogens found in shrimp and a failure to live up to internationally acceptable environmental, social and human rights standards. The country as a whole would pay a high price for the failure to develop an internationally recognised Seal of Quality. It will guarantee buyers that our shrimp meet the hygiene, human rights, labour and environmental codes. This seal will be awarded to firm that meet the codes.

Actually the industry association that will police its member will own SOQ. This is a self policing the quality management. ATDP-II is untiringly working for introducing SSOQ (Shrimp Seal of Quality) programme for Bangladesh shrimps industries. It may be mentioned here that a USFDA team will visit Bangladesh in September this year to inspect the quality of exported shrimp and its infrastructure.

Bangladesh's shrimp industries are playing a significant role in the national economy. It produces about three per cent of global production of shrimp. Several million people in Bangladesh are directly or indirectly involved with shrimp industries. Bangladeshi shrimp having original texture and a mouth-watering taste has already been acclaimed in the world market. Bangladesh shrimp industries association BFFEA (Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association) are playing a pivotal role for the overall development of this sector. But the BFFEA, the main player of the sector, remains aloof from the prompters of SOQ. BFFEA strongly differs with the modalities of the SOQ prompters and believes that ultimately it will cause damage to the industry. A rift among the SOQ prompters and BFFEA will not be good for the industry. We also believe that without active participation of BFFEA, SOQ programme will not be successful. So, a united effort is very much urgent for saving Bangladesh shrimp industries.

The writer is a marketing director of a reputed seafood buying house and has been associated with shrimp industries of Bangladesh for more than 20 years.