This Ministerial Decision aims to strengthen and modernise the national regulatory framework governing the hygienic, sanitary and quality control of fishery products and their derivatives. It incorporates seventeen new technical annexes into the existing Regulation on Hygienic-Sanitary Inspection and Quality Assurance of Fishery Products established under Decree-Law No. 9/2011. The principal objective is to align Guinea-Bissau’s fisheries control system with updated standards and practices equivalent to those applied by the European Union, thereby enhancing food safety, consumer protection, official inspection procedures, and the quality assurance of fish and fishery products intended for both domestic consumption and export markets. The Order further seeks to facilitate access to international markets, particularly the European Union, by establishing comprehensive rules on food hygiene, fisheries inspections, official controls, certification procedures, laboratory standards, microbiological and chemical monitoring, traceability, labelling, contaminant limits, water quality, additives, and import-export requirements for fishery products. Through these annexes, the legislation strengthens the powers and responsibilities of the competent fisheries authority, supports the certification of national inspection laboratories, promotes sustainable fisheries exports, and ensures that products of fish origin meet internationally recognised public health and safety requirements.
Guinée-Bissau · 2023-03-14