Amyotha Hluttaw discusses aquatic exports and use of alluvial land

U Aung Kyi Nyunt of Magway Constituency (4) raised a question asking about the Union Government’s plan to remedy the trade sanction imposed on the country which greatly affects the export of aquatic products to Saudi Arabia, the US and the EU.

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Hla Kyaw replied that the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia is temporarily halting imports of aquatic products from Myanmar, Viet Nam, Bangladesh and India starting from 1 April. The reason for this is due to an announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Saudi Arabia on 30 January claiming that aquatic imports from Southeast Asian countries carry two strains of diseases, one of them being the white tail disease. Saudi Arabia has referred to the quarterly aquatic animal disease report and has submitted a report to the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health).

The Deputy Minister also said they have contacted the Saudi Arabian Embassy to notify them that, according to the OIE report, the white tail disease only affects freshwater prawns and not any species of fish. They have requested the Embassy to review the sanctions to resume trade of aquatic products. He said they are preparing to invite representatives from the Saudi Arabian FDA to come and inspect the prawn farms and factories in Myanmar.

The Deputy Minister said the US had permitted the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) to Myanmar on 13 November 2016, but Myanmar has been exporting aquatic products to the US even before the GSP permit. The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) halted imports of aquatic products due to the accidental killing or injuring of marine mammals, which violates the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The Deputy Minister said they have sent an email to the NMFS which explains Myanmar’s protections in place for marine mammals and conservation efforts for aquatic resources.

The Deputy Minister also said Myanmar has been implementing the National Residue Monitoring Plan (NRMP) since 2014 to export aquatic products to the EU. He said they are upgrading technology to produce high-quality finished products for exporting and also working for aquatic resource conservation, food safety, and development of the fishing industry.

U Maung Maung Latt of Sagaing Constituency (9) raised a question asking whether construction of an embankment wall along the canal of Tawetchaung weir in Temu Township in Sagaing Region is approved.

Deputy Minister U Hla Kyaw replied that they have petitioned to the state government to include the re-fortification of the embankment wall that eroded in 2017. He said the estimated cost is Ks15 million, and approval for the re-fortification will depend on whether funds will be allotted.

U Win Maung of Magway Constituency (6) raised a question asking whether the land boundaries will be redrawn for alluvial land in accordance with either the India ground survey or military maps.

The Deputy Minister replied that agricultural land administration departments have been conducting ground surveys since 2012 in accordance with the Farmland Bylaw Article 108 and Article 109. He also said that dividing up alluvial land does not concern land boundaries and therefore a specific survey does not need to be carried out.

Afterwards, Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee member Daw Nwe Nwe Aung read the committee’s report on the Forestry Bill sent with amendment from the Pyithu Hluttaw. Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than then asked MPs wishing to discuss the bill to register their name.

Aung Ye Thwin

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar