We refer to the Malaysiakini report Seafood exports to EU suspended 6 weeks .

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam Selangor (Cassa) calls upon the Health Ministry of Health, the Agriculture Ministry and the Fisheries Department to confirm whether they have supervised the destruction of all the rejected seafood bound for the European Union.

The call is being made in view feedbacks Cassa has received from consumers that they fear that the rejected seafood are now being dumped on unsuspecting Malaysians after failing EU standards of health and safety.

This fear cannot be rejected as in times past, Singapore-bound vegetables and meat that were rejected by the island state for both health and safety concerns found their way into the local market.

There is no mechanism nor active surveillance put into place to monitor the movements of rejected produce nor their destruction as is the practice abroad with tainted and contaminated products.

Cassa demands an official response in regard this matter from all the above government agencies who are supposed to protect the rights and interests of Malaysian consumers.

This call is made in view of their failure to address the quality, safety and health considerations of exported seafood which has resulted in an EU ban on our seafood.

In consideration of this, it is pertinent that all the affected seafood are destroyed and for the relevant agencies to go on record to register their commitment to upgrade the quality, safety and health standards required by both local and international consumers.

It is obvious that a more comprehensive and critical audit of this industry needs to be made and in special reference to the areas of basic hygiene, storage, transportation and other areas of contention highlighted by the European Union.

Until a confirmation is received from the relevant agencies, Cassa calls upon all Malaysian consumers to boycott local seafood!

The writer is president, Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor.