10 February 2022 - Technical Assistance II
The Fish Quarantine and Inspection Agency (BKIPM) at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MoMAF) has introduced two new guidelines to fully realise the Quality Assurance System and Safety of Fishery Products from upstream to downstream. The guidelines, titled "Standard Operating Procedure for Good Fish Handling and Processing Practices of Tuna and Crabs at Suppliers" and "Hygiene Guidelines for Fish Selling at the Traditional Market," were developed with technical assistance from ARISE+ Indonesia Technical Assistance II and disseminated online on 8-9 December 2022.
The guidelines support the implementation of the new regulation, BKIPM Head Decree No. 21 of 2022, concerning Technical Guidelines for Issuing Certificates of Good Fish Handling and Processing Practices (CPIB) at Suppliers. The new decree was developed to revise the former regulation, BKIPM Head Regulation No. 40 of 2021, in response to the audit recommendation of the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), the European Union (EU) Commission. The recommendation was discussed during a four-day workshop supported by ARISE+ Indonesia Technical Assistance I in August 2022.
According to Tri Handayani, the Coordinator for Surveillance and Certification, BKIPM, the European Union will issue a new Approval Number once the quality assurance requirements are fulfilled. Therefore, the new guidelines are necessary and vital to guarantee product quality and safety as the international market requires.
The dissemination event convened regional offices of BKIPM across Indonesia, the private sector, and business associations in the fisheries sector to gather their feedback and input on the new regulation.
Ms Handayani underscored the importance of building good synergy and collaboration between the government and business actors in the fisheries sector to realise the Quality Assurance System and Safety of Fishery Products from upstream to downstream. She added that fulfilment and compliance with the requirements will improve export.
"The supplier, as an upstream unit, plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of the Quality Assurance System and Food Safety. We have to work together to improve our export," Ms Handayani said.
ARISE+ Indonesia Export Quality Infrastructure Senior Expert, Arief Safari, said that the technical assistance provided by ARISE+ Indonesia is aimed at supporting the Government of Indonesia's efforts to enhance export quality infrastructure. This effort is crucial in facilitating the implementation of the forthcoming Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) and boosting trade between the two regions.
ARISE+ Indonesia's expert in the standard and certification of fish and fishery products, Novia Priyana, presented the two new guidelines during the two-half-a-day online workshop.
The private sector welcomed the new regulation and appreciated the effort to improve the Quality Assurance System and Safety of Fishery Products. They also extended their hope that the government will provide additional support and guidance, especially to small suppliers, to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the new regulation across all levels of the supply chain.
