Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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European Union (EU) Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q1 | What is the new European Union’s Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Regulation? | |
| A1 | The Regulation was adopted in 2008
to deter IUU fishing. As part of the new regulation the
European Union requires a Catch Certificate for most products
exported to their member states, to attest that products
originate from legal fisheries. For more up-to-date information
on the regulation,
please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm
The list of exempted species and products can be found in Annex XIII
of the regulation’s implementation rules: |
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| Q2 | Do I need a Catch Certificate for each consignment? If I have multiple species captured in Canada in one consignment, can I put them all on one Catch Certificate? And what do I do if I have a mix of Canadian and foreign catches? | |
| A2 | Each consignment requires at least
one Catch Certificate. It is also possible to put more than
one species on a single certificate if they are part of
the same consignment. To obtain one certificate for multiple
species, you will need prior approval to create a grouping
for your company. You will need to apply and have the
Catch Certification Office validate the application in advance.
See the Fisheries Certification System
(FCS) for more details
on groupings. Multiple certificates will be required in
numerous cases. When the consignment contains a mix of Canadian and foreign catches, the foreign catches must be accompanied by a Catch Certificate from their country of origin, as well as a separate form, called the Foreign Catch Export Certificate, to list information related to the foreign-caught fish. Visit the following site for the most recent information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q3 | To whom do I present my Catch Certificate? | |
| A3 | To the European importer you do business with, who will in turn present it to the authorities there or to your client in another country, in the case of indirect importing to the EU. A copy of the Catch Certificate must accompany the consignment at all times. However, the FC does enable importers and EU authorities with certificate numbers and security codes to view certificates online. | |
| Q4 | How far in advance must I present the Catch Certificate to my import partner? | |
| A4 | Consignments must be reported to
EU authorities in advance, depending on the method of transport
used and the type of product. See the link below for
relevant
details. http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q5 | Does the Catch Certificate replace other documents that are required in order to export the consignment? | |
| A5 | No. Other legislation that requires documentation or certification to accompany your consignment will still be required. The Catch Certificate will address the IUU regulation but is in addition to other documents required to export, such as the Health Certificate (obtained through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and an Export Declaration (obtained through the Canada Border Services Agency). | |
| Q6 | Do products merely passing through the EU need a Catch Certificate? | |
| A6 | Yes. The only case where a
Catch Certificate would not be necessary would be when the product
stays on the ship in an EU port before being shipped elsewhere
outside the EU. Visit the following site for the most recent information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q7 | If my products harvested in Canada are processed here before being exported to the EU, do I need to present any other documents besides the Catch Certificate in order to meet the requirements of the new EU regulations? | |
| A7 | No, the Catch Certificate includes
a section for processing information and this satisfies
the conditions of Annex IV of the EU regulation. Of course, you will still need the other documents that are already required under other existing regulations (health, transportation, etc.) – the Catch Certificate does not replace these documents. Visit the following site for the most recent information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q8 | If my products are exported to a non–EU country, processed in that country and then exported (indirect export) to the EU, will I need a Canadian Catch Certificate? | |
| A8 | Yes, your client in the country
that is processing and shipping the product to the EU will
need a Canadian Catch Certificate for the consignment destined
for the EU. Visit the following site for the most recent information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q9 | If my products are exported to a non-EU country, but are not processed in that country, and then exported to the EU (indirect export), will I need a Canadian Catch Certificate? | |
| A9 | Yes, your client in that country
will need a Canadian Catch Certificate in order to export
the products to the EU. Visit the following site for the most recent information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q10 | I am importing raw materials from a non-EU country, processing and then exporting all or a portion of these raw materials to the EU. Do I need a Catch Certificate from the responsible authorities in the country of origin of these products? What other documentation do I need to present? | |
| A10 | The company that provides the product
should provide a Catch Certificate from the authorities
of the country where the fish was caught. You will also
need a Canadian Foreign Catch Export
Certificate, available, through the Fisheries Certification System. This certificate
identifies the processing method used on the products, thereby
satisfying the conditions of the EU regulation. Of course, you will still need the other documents that are already required under other existing regulations (health, transportation, etc.) – the Catch Certificate does not replace these documents. Visit the following site for the most recent information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
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| Q11 | What documentation is required in order to prove that the imported product(s) did not undergo any operations other than unloading, reloading or preservation before being exported to the EU? | |
| A11 | According to the EU regulation,
a single transport document issued by the flag country for
the product(s) to travel from the flag country through the
third country to the EU is sufficient or documentation from
the third country’s competent validating authorities. Details
of this can be found in Article 14(1) of the EU regulations. Please refer to the following link to view the full regulation and for most up-to-date information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q12 | How do I know if the Catch Certificate from another country is valid? | |
| A12 | On the European Commission’s website
there will be a list of flag states that have received notification
from the Commission that their authorities are competent
to validate Catch Certificates. Please refer to the following
link to obtain the list of flag state notifications: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
|
| Q13 | The supplier from whom I obtained raw materials or products from is not able to provide enough information for me to obtain a valid Catch Certificate. What do I do with my products that are derived from this source? | |
| A13 | Without a valid Catch Certificate the products cannot be exported to the EU. They may be sold elsewhere where a Catch Certificate is not required. | |
| Q14 | Are the any documents that are equivalent to the Catch Certificate when exporting to the EU? | |
| A14 | There are presently three acceptable
catch documentation schemes as adopted by Regional Fisheries
Management Organizations (RFMOs) that can be used in place
of the Catch Certificate. The first is the CCAMLR Toothfish
(Dissostichus spp.) catch documentation scheme, the second
is the ICCAT Bluefin tuna catch documentation program, and
lastly, the third scheme is the CCSBT Bluefin tuna catch
documentation scheme. Please see Annex V in EC No 1010/2009,
implementing regulations. You can still apply for a Catch Certificate if you are uncertain. Please refer to the following link for most up-to-date information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
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| Q15 | Do I need to have an Authorized Economic Operator (i.e. an importer from the EU on the official list for simplified processing in Europe)? | |
| A15 | No, that is not required for Canadian
exporters. It is useful for European importers to be on
this list because they benefit from more flexible rules
on notification timelines. However, you may still wish to
avail of this service, if deemed appropriate for your operation. Visit the following site for the most recent information: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
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| Q16 | What happens if my shipment is detained by authorities of an EU member state? | |
| A16 | Contact should be made with the importer to determine why the shipment is being detained. Follow up with the authorities in the member state or from the flag state may also be required. If required, EU authorities may contact the Catch Certification Office. | |
| Q17 | What happens to the shipment once it has arrived in the EU and it is refused entry into the EU community? | |
| A17 | Products can be confiscated and
destroyed, disposed of, or products may be sold in accordance
with national law. Please refer to the following link to view the complete regulation: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm |
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DFO Catch Certification Office (CCO) and Fisheries Certificate System (FCS) |
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| Q18 | How do I contact the DFO Catch Certification Office? | |
| A18 | Toll-free in North America: 1-888-641-6464 Telephone: 613-998-8100 Fax: 613-990-5301 E-mail: CCO-BCC_Info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Web site: http://fcs-scp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fcsweb/ Please refer to the Fisheries Certificate System website (provided above) for information on hours of operation. |
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| Q19 | What information do I need in order to obtain a Catch Certificate? | |
| A19 | On the Fisheries Certificate System website http://fcs-scp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fcsweb/, you will find the information you need to provide in order to obtain a Catch Certificate, as well as the mandatory fields to be completed. | |
| Q20 | Do I need to be registered in the Fisheries Certificate System in advance before I apply for a Catch Certificate? | |
| A20 | Yes. The registration process takes
some lead time (up to 2 weeks) because all registrations
must be approved by the Catch Certification Office. The
registration process is very simple and intuitive. Assistance
is also available via telephone or e-mail, if required. After you register, you will be ready to apply for certificates. Requests for groupings must also be completed in advance and is subject to Catch Certification Office approval. This process also requires some lead time (up to 2 weeks). |
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| Q21 | How long will the CCO take to issue a Catch Certificate? | |
| A21 | Service standards
for the CCO to issue certificates
vary depending on the type of product exported and the transportation method. Fresh/live products exported by air will be processed within a 2 hour service standard. Products that are processed and shipped by sea or air will be processed within a 48-hour service standard. Visit the Fisheries Certificate System website for updates. |
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| Q22 | Are there different categories of Catch Certificates in the Fisheries Certification System? | |
| A22 | Yes: the Catch Certificate -
Standard; the Catch Certificate - Group Based; and the
Foreign Catch Export Certificate.
Visit the Fisheries Certificate System website or contact the Catch Certification Office for more details on these types of certificates. |
|
| Q23 | Will the product coding system be the same as the system currently in use? | |
| A23 | The Fisheries Certificate System has a function that makes it possible to find the equivalent for species and/or product codes. The Harmonized System (HS) code will be used for products, in accordance with existing national and international standards. This code should generally reflect those used in Health Certificates. | |
| Q24 | How will the Catch Certificate numbering system work? | |
| A24 | For security reasons, numbers will be issued non-sequentially. | |
| Q25 | Do I need to use the FCS or can I fax or my information to apply for a Catch Certificate? | |
| A25 | You can send in the application
by fax or mail, but the processing time is significantly
longer than requests submitted through the Fisheries
Certificate System. The CCO service
standard for paper applications is 10 days (not
including postage time). It is therefore recommended that
you register in the FCS to obtain
faster service. Please visit FCS website or contact the Catch Certification Office to obtain more information on the paper-based process. |
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| Q26 | How will DFO validate Catch Certificates? More specifically, what is the basis for the validation? | |
| A26 | Because Canada already has effective
control measures in place, the certification system will
build on existing systems, DFO will base its validation
on information systems for management of vessels and fishery
licences. By checking these systems, DFO will be able to
validate the information provided in the application and
issue Catch Certificates. All certificates are subject to random annual audit, starting in 2010. You may be contacted at any time to provide information or clarification. |
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| Q27 | Will I have access to my history in the Fisheries Certificate System? | |
| A27 | Yes, the system will store your account history. Over the next year, the CCO will determine the length of time records will be available to you through the FCS. The FCS will also allow you to export and save your history outside of the system. | |
| Q28 | Is there a system that provides data compatibility so that an application can be filled out more quickly? | |
| A28 | The FCS can support XML (for certificate applications only, not for registration or grouping applications at this time), so information on a certificate application can be transmitted automatically instead of entered manually in the system. | |
