Lifting fish export ban to EU needs further steps: EU Council

Nov 17, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ban on fishery exports to the EU could be lifted if further necessary steps are taken, the European Union Council said. Releasing council conclusions in a statement the Council commended the steps Sri Lanka has taken to comply with the regulations of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. “The council encourages the Sri Lankan authorities to take further measures necessary to address the shortcomings established in the context of the EU legislation on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.” the statement said. Sri Lanka received a “yellow card” or a strict warning in November 2012 before the ban was imposed, as the country was not complying with international rules on illegal fishing. The Council banned fish imports from Sri Lanka last year due to EU concerns that illegal fishing is environmentally harmful and unsustainable. Sri Lanka’s sea foods exports to EU Zone accounted  for nearly 68 percent of its total sea foods exports. Sea food exports declined from 21 million dollars in February 2014 to 11.2 million dollars in February 2015 recording a plunge of 46 percent whilst fisheries exports plummeted from 42.7 million dollars to 27.7 million dollars posting a reduction of 35 percent, according to a report.