(MENAFN- Arab Times) KUWAIT CITY March 4: A number of influential fish companies are waging a ''war'' in collaboration with the Kuwait Fishermen Union (KFU) to stop the import of fresh and frozen fish from Iran and Saudi Arabia by fabricating a number of processes and methods to cheat the law and deliberately obtain veterinary certificates for the fresh and frozen fish imported from the Gulf informed sources say.
They explained that such a certificate is aimed to ensure the validity of the fish for human consumption but generally it is required only for frozen fish imported from the Gulf. However these companies are on a pursuit to force importers of fish from Iran and Saudi Arabia to mandatorily obtain veterinary certificates for all imported fish for delaying the import process and attaining financial gains at their expense. These powerful companies are aiming to dominate the Kuwaiti market and prevent traders from importing fish by spreading rumors that veterinary certificates are required for all fish.
A member of Municipal Council Ahmad Fadhala said the council will deal with any problems referred to it in this regard affirming the existence of a law that regulates the import of fish and marine products. He condemned the actions of a number of fish importers who are trying to control the market by introducing conditions or exaggerating the existing ones.
Fadhala affirmed that no marine product will be prevented from entering the country if the requirements of the law and the conditions allotted by the Municipality and the Municipal Council are met. Another member of the Municipal Council Hassan Kamal said the council will be fully prepared to discuss this case as well as the disagreements that occurred between the Kuwait Fishermen Union and a number of suppliers. Indicating that the high fish prices have led to an increased reluctance in eating local fish in the country he stressed the need to apply all laws and regulations in this regard and avoid any differences that could hinder the marine food import market.
On the other hand Chairman of Kuwait Fishermen Union Zaher Al- Soyan denied that some companies are trying to set new conditions to disable the import of fish. He clarified ''This is not at all true. We are not fighting the import of fish but we are demanding the concerned authorities to ensure legal and official documents are made available for importing fish especially since some shipments of fish entered the country through the Doha Port without the required documents which is wrong''. Al-Soyan warned about the collapse of fish stock in Kuwait in case of continued smuggling referring to a study conducted by Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) in this regard. He lamented ''When we had asked for increased entry of imported fish and shrimps through airports after meeting all the necessary health conditions we were accused of acting on special interests''.
Al-Soyan insisted that the main purpose for demanding such legal documents is to preserve fish stock from overfishing or fishing during banned period and protect the consumers by ensuring only fish that are fit for human consumption are imported into the country affirming the lack of any personal interests behind such a demand.
By: Abdulnasser Al-Aslami Al-Seyassah Staff
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