Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1151507
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 AUGUST 2019 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Moreover, the Environment Health Directorate carried out no tests for his- tamine in 2018. In its reply to the report, the Maltese government announced a checklist on official controls to be carried out on land establishments. This checklist, among others, will in- clude organoleptic (freshness) and par- asite checks. Until 2018, only one establishment dealing with these fish was testing for the presence of histamine. In others, histamine testing is planned for the first time in 2019. Shortcoming found in three establishments Three of the eight land-based fish- handling establishments inspected by the European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office did not comply with hygiene requirements. During this audit, issues were identi- fied with the drainage system in one establishment, which resulted in "a strong smell of fish decomposition". Other deficiencies found included floors and wall surfaces which were not well-maintained. In some establish- ments surfaces where fish were being cut were not adequate for easy cleaning and disinfection. In one case fish products that had been prepared were found lying on a crate on the floor at a temperature of 13 °C. There was also a lack of pest control in one establishment that was prepar- ing fish because it had an exterior door open. Significant condensation in a re- frigeration unit resulted in water drip- ping and then pooling on boxes con- taining fishery products. Several cold stores did not have con- tinuous temperature recording devices and in one establishment "the cold store was used for both the storage and freezing of fish". While noting that a documented con- trol system is in place for all land-based establishments, shortcomings were found, "either in the coverage of the controls, their implementation, and/ or in the timely correction of observed deficiencies". Moreover, according to the commis- sion's report there were a number of in- stances where the authorities failed "to take corrective actions in a timely way" and "as a consequence, non-compliant premises were left in operation". Action taken by authorities In their reply to the report the Mal- tese authorities confirmed that action had been taken against the three es- tablishments where structural main- tenance and hygiene issues have been identified. One of the establishments is being relocated. The second establishment is looking for relocation and the new premises' layout is being evaluated. A third establishment is following a maintenance action plan programme and several improvements on the defi- ciencies have been noted. A cold store which posed public health risks was served with a warning letter and a court citation asking the opera- tor either to admit guilt and pay an ad- ministrative fine of over €7,764.57 or to go to court. The operational permit for this cold store has been withdrawn. Furthermore, the government has agreed to step up inspections during 2019. All the land fishery product establish- ments will be visited at least twice; cold stores will be visited every 18 months and freezer vessels will be inspected at least every five years. Auction hall is well maintained The auction hall where fishermen transport their fish from the landing sites was found to have a "good struc- ture, was well lit and maintained", the FVA audit found. The chiller was fitted with a continuous temperature-record- ing device. But the audit team noted that in some cases the fish was not stored under a sufficient quantity of ice "or under no ice at all". Besides, due to limited space, clean and dirty boxes were not kept clearly separated. "Many registered buyers without ap- propriate protective clothing were han- dling the fish during the sale, raising hygiene issues". VRD has no access to list of freezer vessels Another deficiency noted in the FVO's report is that the Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) has no access to the data on registered vessels and landings held by the authority responsible for vessel registration, namely the Directo- rate for Fisheries and Aquaculture. This means that the competent au- thority has "has no oversight over ves- sels and landings subject to official con- trols". A second consequence is that "the competent authority is not in a position to provide correct and up-to-date in- formation as regards the list of vessels that require approval under EU law". The report warns that fishery prod- ucts are being placed on the market, "prepared and handled in freezer ves- sels that have not been approved by VRD". The audit team visited the only two freezer vessels approved by the VRD (out of approximately 30 freezer vessels registered). The vessels engaged in fish- ing and freezing red shrimp were found to be in "excellent condition" with re- gard to hygiene and equipment. An official request has been addressed through the Food Safety Commission to the Directorate for Fisheries and Aq- uaculture (DFA), requesting access to the list of the registered fishing vessels. An official letter was also sent to the DFA in order to obtain "all the neces- sary information about all landings of frozen fishery products". As soon as the information is pro- vided, the VRD will start the approval procedure for all freezer vessels. Chief vet has no access to list of freezer vessels A deficiency noted in the FVO's report is that the Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) has no access to the data on registered vessels and landings held by the authority responsible for vessel registration, namely the Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture