The EU's veterinary experts decided to discontinue re-enforced testing on certain Chinese fish products in view of the satisfactory results of tests carried out in recent months, the 15-nation bloc said in a statement over the weekend.

"We believe the decision indicates that the EU and China are moving closer towards fully lifting a ban on all Chinese fish products," Zhang Hecheng, deputy director of the Fisheries Bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture, said yesterday.

The EU's decision says sanitary verification is no longer required for Chinese fish products including Alaska pollack, cod and redfish, blue whiting, halibut, haddock, herring, yellowfin sole, cephalopods, plaice, Pacific salmon and fillets of salmon.

"This is a very positive step. We are trying to normalize the trade on aquatic products with China," said Franz Jessen, deputy head of the European Commission delegation in Beijing.

"However, we must do so while respecting the health requirements of the EU, for the protection of our own consumers."

The EU had yet to lift a ban on other Chinese fish and animal products imposed in January on grounds that traces of potentially risky chloramphenicol residues were detected in samples of shrimp and prawn imported from China.

The EU is China's fourth largest importer of aquatic products.

The volume of Chinese exports affected by the EU ban could amount to several hundred million US dollars, according to the statistics from the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Association.

"It is unfair and not based on scientific evidence for the EU to prohibit the import of fish products from China," said Zhang. "It is also against the World Trade Organization rules regarding fair trade."

In the light of information provided by the Chinese authorities, and the favorable test results, the EU resumed imports of certain fish products, gelatine, and sausage casings from China in May, but subjected them to increased monitoring and testing.

Over the past half year, China has further intensified aquatic product quality control, and has started a nationwide drive to ensure that there is no residue of prohibited drugs in its fish products, Zhang said.

Gao Yongqiang, deputy secretary-general of the association, said he believed the EU's softening of its attitudes towards Chinese fish products implied the EU is moving towards the correct path.

"China's seafood products are well worth the confidence of EU consumers," he said.

Both Zhang and Gao urged the EU to remove restrictive measures on all Chinese fish products as soon as possible.

Jessen of the EU delegation said: "We are working as fast as we can to find a quick solution to this situation, but we need to make sure that the health requirements are met."

(China Daily September 24, 2002)