Videoconference on sanitary and phytosanitary measures in fisheries and aquaculture products for EFTA–Mauritius

On 20 June 2023, the EFTA States and Mauritius held a videoconference on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures related to fisheries and aquaculture products. Following a request from Mauritius, officials and representatives of the private sector in Mauritius benefitted from a comprehensive overview of the regulatory framework on SPS for the sector.

Opening remarks were presented by Dr Narainduth Boodhoo, Director of the Trade Policy at the International Trade Division of Mauritius, and Ms Krisztina Bende, Director of the Trade Relations Division at the EFTA Secretariat. Both representatives were satisfied to be implementing trade-related technical cooperation activities that had been foreseen in the framework of the Joint Declaration on Cooperation signed in 2009.

Presentations covered several aspects of SPS in the free trade context, including sustainable governance of marine resources and aquaculture products. Six national experts contributed to the activity by sharing knowledge and expertise from agencies such as Iceland’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries; the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority; Norway’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food; and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Twenty-two participants attended this webinar and had the opportunity to interact with EFTA’s experts through several Q&A sessions.