AZE.US
Azerbaijan plans to introduce an electronic tracking system that will allow consumers to verify the origin of fish and seafood sold in the country.
The requirements are included in a new draft law on fisheries.
The electronic system will contain information about a product’s country and place of origin, species, volume and catch date. For frozen and chilled fish, storage conditions and temperatures are also expected to be recorded.
The system is intended to protect consumers from misleading claims and help them understand exactly what they are buying.
At present, imported fish can be presented as locally sourced, while buyers often have no reliable way to verify information provided by vendors. Under the proposed system, the origin of the product would be supported by official records.
“Buyers will know what they are purchasing and will be able to confirm that they are not being misled. Such a system would be useful because sellers sometimes provide inaccurate information,” one customer said.
Fish vendors have also welcomed the proposal. They said certificates and verifiable product information would make it easier to build trust with customers.
“It will show whether the product came from Iran, Georgia or a local producer. Customers will no longer have to rely only on the seller’s word,” one vendor said.
Experts said the new rules would not automatically reduce fish imports or increase domestic production. They are, however, expected to improve market transparency, strengthen competition and give consumers more information when choosing products.
Fish farms and suppliers may face higher compliance costs during the initial stage. In the longer term, the system is expected to reduce uncertainty surrounding the origin, handling and quality of fish sold in Azerbaijan.
Once the new legislation takes effect, Azerbaijan’s existing fisheries law, adopted on March 27, 1998, will be repealed.
AZE.US