The EU Steering Committee has included the UAE among the countries permitted to export fish products to EU countries, an EU source said yesterday.

"A decision was made on May 20, declaring the UAE's fish products meet the EU's technical and health requirements.

"Under the decision, the UAE will be able to export fish products to the 15 EU members," the source said.

Rashid Khalfan Al Shuraiki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, welcomed the decision, which, he said, will benefit fishermen in the UAE.

He said the ministry has been working along with the General Secretariat of the UAE Municipalities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain EU approval for fish exports.

Al Shuraiki said the ministry will work with the secretariat to set a time table for the implementation of the agreement with the EU.

"We like to see our quality products exported to the EU countries. But this should not allow to affect the prices of fish in the local markets.

He added that the UAE has no restriction on exporting fish except for the months of June, July and August when the catch declines.

The UAE ranks fourth in the Arab world and second in the GCC in the volume of annual catch.