During a ten day visit to Chile, European authorities of the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Union (FVO) assessed the Health Certification System for Molluscs by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sernapesca).
The European delegation is composed of two inspectors from the FVO Veterinary and two experts in microbiology and marine toxins, who will remain in Chile until the 26 April.
The visit began with a ceremonial reception at Sernapesca where the National Director of the company, Juan Luis Ansoleaga, welcomed them and stressed the importance of the European market for the export of Chilean molluscs.
Subsequently, the European delegation held a meeting with officials from the Department of Health Pesquera who coordinate national efforts in monitoring the safety of shellfish for export.
"Over the coming days, Europe's specialists will visit the Metropolitan and Los Lagos, to review farms, processing plants and laboratories," the Foreign Trade Deputy Director, Cecilia Solis, said.
Regarding the importance of this certification, SMs olis recalled that the European market is a very attractive destination for Chilean mollusc exports, reaching 69,479 tonnes in 2012.
