He said among the requirements is that the exporting countries must have a "competent authority" responsible for official controls throughout the production chain, particularly involving seafood, reports the Daily Express.
"The EU has set their standards and specifications, and exporters must strictly abide by them," he told Daily Express.
"The authorities concerned must be empowered, structured and have the resources to implement effective inspection and guarantee credible hygiene and public health attestation in the certificate to accompany fisheries products destined for the EU," he said.
According to the Daily Express, the hygiene legislation contains specific requirements, including the structure of vessels used in fishing, landing sites, processing establishments and on operational processes, including freezing and storage.
Rayner said the above strict provisions were aimed at ensuring a high standard and preventing any contamination of the products during processing.
EU Rules Lead to Blanket Ban in Malaysian Seafood
MALAYSIA - Strict hygiene and public health requirements imposed by the European Union (EU) led to the blanket ban on seafood products from Malaysia, said State Fisheries Department Director Rayner Datuk Stuel Galid.