Handling, Processing and Marketing of Fish in Bangladesh - Part 1 (NRI): Section 4: The shrimp industry: 4.6 Quality control

Handling, Processing and Marketing of Fish in Bangladesh - Part 1 (NRI)

(introduction...)

Acknowledgements

Glossary of abbreviations

Map of Bangladesh showing regions and major cities

Summary

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Supply and demand

(introduction...)

2.1 Fish production

2.2 Exploitation of enclosed inland waters

2.3 Species and product form

2.4 Domestic consumption

2.5 Exports

2.6 Prices

2.7 Future outlook

Section 3: The marketing of fish for domestic consumption

3.1 Trade flows

3.2 Marketing channels

3.3 Marketing margins

3.4 Marketing infrastructure

3.5 Handling and transport

3.6 Losses

3.7 Government intervention in fisheries marketing

3.8 The role of co-operatives in fish marketing

3.9 Conclusions: Market efficiency

Section 4: The shrimp industry

4.1 Trade flows and intermediaries

4.2 Marketing infrastructure

4.3 Handling and processing

4.4 Packaging

4.5 Losses

4.6 Quality control

Section 5: Conclusions

5.1 Problems of the existing system of marketing

5.2 Possible measures to improve the marketing system

5.3 Benefits from the proposed measures

Bibliography

Appendices

(introduction...)

Appendix A: Source tables

Appendix B: List of scientific, Bangladeshi and English names of fish, molluscs and crustaceans

Appendix C: Functions of BFDC

Appendix D: Physical facilities belonging to BFDC

4.6 Quality control

The situation described above has resulted in a series of missions by international experts and exhortations to establish an effective quality inspection and control service. DOF is responsible for this function through the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Service (IQCS) which issues certificates enabling processors to obtain export licences. It has two laboratories in Chittagong and Khulna, of which only the latter is presently operational. Where IQCS laboratories are not available, products are tested at Amin Agencies (in Chittagong), the Bangladesh Council for Scientific and

Industrial Research (BCSIR, in Dhaka,) and in private laboratories. Inspection consists mainly of microbiological analysis of end-products. Plant inspection is not presently carried out and IQCS has no responsibility for landing places, ice plants or peeling/decapitating establishments outside processing plants. There is also a lack of transport to enable inspections and sampling to be undertaken opportunely.

This system is not really effective, and the Service needs to be expanded in facilities, personnel, training and budget. An international programme of technical assistance has been proposed by FAO. It is expected to be operational by January 1988.

Self-regulation by an industrial body has also been proposed as a means of achieving effective quality control in Bangladesh. In support of this proposal it has been noted that companies' attitudes have evolved greatly since United States blocklisting in 1979, and they are now acutely aware of the importance of quality. However, it may be objected that, in Bangladesh as elsewhere, industry will lack the unity of purpose to work a satisfactorily effective system, in view of which the Government must continue to take primary responsibility for this function. However, were self-regulation to be wholeheartedly supported by the private sector, it would be the better system to adopt.