BIM launch quality programme in seafood
Almost 220 buyers from around the world and over 50 Irish companies are attending Irish Seafood Expo 2003 at the Burlington Hotel and on board the Navy flagship, the LE Róisín.
Minister Ahern said BIM’s new quality seafood programme (QSP) gives buyers and consumers the chance to appreciate the quality standards achieved by producers. It allows the industry to identify product on the basis of internationally recognised standards and promote high quality Irish seafood worldwide.
He said it was significant the quality mark will be first available at retail level on farmed salmon products in the Irish market. Salmon sales, which totalled some €67 million in 2002, account for 24% of total seafood sales in Ireland.
The programme is BIM’s first consumer quality scheme and is underpinned by the world-class European food industry quality standard EN45011.
BIM plans to extend the scheme to include rainbow trout, mussels, oysters and wild salmon, amongst other types of fish.
Helen Brophy, BIM market development manager, said product traceability, quality and safety are now critical consumer demands.
