As part of the implementation of the GMAP Project – Global Market Access Programme, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), a technical meeting was held to consolidate the proposed Internal Regulations of the Fish Inspection Advisory Body (OCIP).
The meeting, held in Marracuene, brought together representatives from various public institutions with responsibilities in the areas of health inspection, food safety, biosafety, and environmental conservation, namely the National Fish Inspection Institute (INIP, IP), the National Agency for Environmental Quality Control (AQUA, IP), the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), National Inspection of Economic Activities (INAE), National Institute for Standardization and Quality (INNOQ,IP), National Directorate for Agricultural Health and Biosafety (DNSAB), National Directorate for Livestock Development (DNDP), and the Ministry of Health.
This activity is part of the MAMAP Project – Access to the Market for Mozambican Aquaculture Products, which aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacity to ensure the quality and conformity of aquaculture products, promoting their competitive access to national and international markets.
During the meeting, participants analyzed and validated the content of the proposed regulation, which defines the composition, structure, functioning, decision-making mechanisms, financing, and powers of the OCIP – an inter-institutional consultative forum created under Decree No. 80/2020 of September 8. The main mission of this body is to strengthen coordination between public and private entities involved in the health and safety inspection of fishery and aquaculture products in the country.
The Director-General of INIP, Lúcia Sumbana, who chairs OCIP, stressed that the body will be a strategic platform to ensure a coordinated and effective response to emerging challenges in the sector, contributing to consumer protection, public health, animal welfare, and the environment, in line with market requirements.
The completion of this draft regulation, which will be submitted to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries for approval, marks a significant step towards the effective institutionalization of OCIP, contributing to the strengthening of the national quality control system for fishery products.
UNIDO thus reiterates its commitment to the inclusive and sustainable development of the aquaculture sector in Mozambique, in close collaboration with national authorities and its strategic partners.
