To deliver the campaign message effectively and make the sanitation code more clear and understandable, campaign materials were translated into dialects of stakeholders. The campaign was a valuable opportunity for fishermen to learn more about the sanitation requirements expected of them as they are subject to LGU inspection for compliance to the sanitation code.

Food safety in local fishing. Fishermen from Dipolog (left photo) follow the path towards good hygiene by demonstrating their individual flyers (given in the campaign) that contain key provisions in the sanitation code and a fish ruler used to measure allowable size for fish catch. The handy flyers will remind the fishermen on sanitation practices and sustainable fish catch as they go about their fishing activities.

On Campaign Trail. Local government officials and BFAR regional officers talk with the press on their roles in helping municipal fishermen, fish traders, and other stakeholders on how to abide with the Philippine sanitation code and good hygiene practices to ensure food safety from farm to fork. The above photos show two of the four campaign sites in Camarines Sur (left photo) and Zamboanga City (right photo). Left photo is the campaign in Gainza, Camarines Sur led by Mayor William Abilay (rightmost, wearing green) with BFAR region 5 Assistant Director, Marjorie Gruta (right of Abilay). During the press conference, Cabunga barangay captain Enberto Pablo (right of Gruta), cites the importance of observing sanitation in his area as they plan to increase production of “aligi”, the raw material used in producing crab paste. Right photo is the campaign in Kawit, Zamboanga City led by City Administrator Antonio Orendain (third from right, facing the press) with BFAR region 9 OIC Regional Director Ahadulla Sajili (left of Orendain). Leftmost is Kawit barangay captain Rey Modillas and Zamboanga City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat (right of Orendain), in charge of municipal fishery.

Bacolod City - Charlotte Minasyan, Attaché of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with the EU-Philippines Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Project 2, participated in the celebration of the 7th Shrimp Congress from March 17-19 2010 at Planta Hotel, Bacolod City. The theme for this year's congress "Greener Production Technologies and Creative Marketing" cannot be more appropriate as resources become more limited that is further threatened by climate change and more consumers opting for foods that are not only healthy and safe but also produced in an environment-friendly and socially equitable manner.

Ms. Minasyan delivered a message on behalf of Ambassador Alistair MacDonald , Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines on trade cooperation between the EU and RP anchoring on food safety as a global trade requirement.

Charlotte Minasyan, Attaché of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines speaks of the technical assistance to be provided in the field of aquaculture, in particular training for both the Fish Health Management and Quality Assurance of BFAR as well as for aquaculture business operators in order to meet international requirements and be prepared for export to EU during the opening ceremony of the 7th Shrimp Congress in Bacolod City from March 17-19 2010.

The Attache highlighted the opportunities that the EU market offers for aquaculture products with high value such as shrimp. BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquaculture) data shows that 269,000 kg of black tiger prawns were sold in the EU market in 2009. In 2008, EU imported over 590,000 t of shrimp either in fresh, chilled, frozen or preserved form. Following registration and certification, the potential for expansion of Philippine shrimp exports to the EU is indeed possible. Ms. Minasyan also encouraged the use of the online service which is the EU export helpdesk which can help exporters to explore the potentials of their products to the EU market through useful information on regulations, taxes, import duties, statistics and much more.

Meanwhile, the TRTA exhibit featured the technical and capacity-building assistance of the project to BFAR and fishery and aquaculture business operators to strengthen their food safety programmes and encourage compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards for increased export performance. Additionally, farm-level food safety requirements as reflected in BFAR's farm registration, inspection and feedmill inspection were also shown together with the list of EU-approved establishments for aquaculture products.

BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento (left at left picture) and Senator Edgardo Angara (middle at right picture) visit the TRTA booth exhibit during the 7th Shrimp Congress in Bacolod City.

EU and TRTA's participation in the congress showcase the strong commitment of both the EU and RP in complying with global requirements of food safety and safeguarding of public health. Moreover, EU Attaché Minasyan expressed that EU is happy to be a part of such a worthwhile endeavour of strengthening a sustainable Philippine shrimp sector.

The three - day conference and trade exhibit gathered shrimp industry players from the private business sector, the government, the academe and research sector and consumers in working to the move the Philippine shrimp industry towards a more sustainable, environment-friendly and innovative marketing path.

Honourable guests that graced the congress include Sen. Edgardo Angara who served as the keynote speaker during the opening ceremonies, BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Salvador Salacup, Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco and PHILSHRIMP President, Mr. Roberto Gatuslao. BFAR regional directors and assistant directors were also present. The 7th Shrimp Congress was organized by PHILSHRIMP in partnership with BFAR. TJC-TRTA

The website launch was well attended by about 90 guests from the government, private sector and members of the press. Government officials from the implementing agencies of the project were also present, namely: Senior Undersecretary Thomas G. Aquino of the Department of Trade and Industry, Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano of the Department of Agriculture, Deputy Commissioner Alexander M. Arevalo of the Bureau of Customs and NEDA Deputy Director Margarita R. Songco.

The website launch was led by NEDA DG Santos and Ambassador MacDonald in a ceremonial ‘switch-on’ of the TRTA project website wherein two website pages were simultaneously opened for public viewing for the first time. A press conference followed the website launch with the abovementioned government officials as resource persons joined by NEDA DG Santos, Ambassador Alistair MacDonald and TRTA Imprest Administrator, Ms. Brenda Mendoza.

The website can now be visited at ww.eu-trtaphils.org.

Information, Communication and Visibility

The launching of the project website marks the importance of providing information on TRTA and trade-related issues to the public and communicating the positive impact of the project to its government agency partners and private stakeholders. Through the website, government partners and private stakeholders have an accessible electronic means of keeping themselves updated of the developments of the project as the activities are conducted. The website is also a source of relevant information on Philippine and EU standards and regulations on product and food safety that can be downloaded for reference.

Moreover, the visibility of TRTA to the public and the media is expected to increase as the website provides an easy and ready means to become aware and learn more about the project. This point was emphasized during the press conference where members of the press expressed their appreciation of the website.

TRTA movers gathered in the press conference after the TRTA project website
was put online. TRTA Imprest Administrator, Ms. Brenda Mendoza (inset)
responded in the conference how the funds are allocated.

A story of co-operation that counts

The TRTA 2 project continues head on this 2010 together with its implementing agencies in conducting its various technical assistance activities embedded in the project’s three main components which are: Trade policy and export development, Standards harmonisation and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) conformity and Trade facilitation.

Both DG Santos and Ambassador MacDonald encouraged to make full use of the website features which include a feedback mechanism that will allow visitors of the site to submit inquiries and comments regarding the website and the project itself.

The TRTA website is a concrete testament of the strong and enduring relationship between EU and the Philippines in establishing free, fair and safe trade towards sustainable poverty reduction in the country. As in the words of NEDA Deputy Director and TRTA PSC Chair Margarita Songco in her welcome remarks during the website launch “Today, we are not only launching a project website. We are launching a story of co-operation that counts!”.