This agreement was adopted under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/FAO at a forum in Rome on 22 November 2009 and entered into force internationally in 2016. The document establishes common port control rules to prevent the landing, transshipment or marketing of products derived from illegal fishing.
Although Moldova is not a coastal state and does not carry out fishing activities in the seas and oceans, joining this agreement contributes to the protection of the domestic market of imported fish products from illegal, unregistered and unregulated fishing and participation in global efforts to conserve aquatic resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry said in a press release.
At the economic level, accession provides a predictable framework for importers of fish products, reduces the risk of trade sanctions and strengthens the confidence of external partners in the national food safety control system.
The implementation of the provisions of the agreement will be carried out through existing mechanisms. At the same time, the National Agency for Food Safety will be the body responsible for checking compliance of imported fish products and exchange of information with international partners.
With this decision, Moldova harmonizes its national system with international standards and European Union fisheries policy, contributing to the protection of marine resources and strengthening international cooperation in the fight against illegal fishing.
Earlier Logos Press wrote about the recently published UN/FAO report on the scale of fraud in the world’s fisheries resources. According to the document, poaching and theft are among the most frequent crimes related to fishery resources.
