Veterinary Services Division hosts Chinese spiny lobster audit delegation
MIIC Author
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the Government with the People’s Republic of China in September 2017 for the export of spiny lobsters to China, a five-man delegation from China is currently on a three-day visit to Jamaica to conduct an audit of the processes of the industry.
Speaking at a meeting held at the Veterinary Services Division (VSD) in St. Andrew on February 26, Ning Wang, Director of Food Safety Division 4, Import and Export Food Safety Bureau, Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine in China, said the audit would include observation of the processing, packaging and loading of lobsters as well as an evaluation of the operations of the industry’s monitoring programme and the types of tests carried out by the VSD’s laboratories.
Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Osbil Watson, said he was happy that China, which is one of Jamaica’s largest trading partners, was considering importing Jamaica’s spiny lobster and looked forward to an expansion to other fishery products.
In order to permit the export of Jamaican live lobsters to China, hygiene, sanitation and certification matters are required to be examined to allow for cooperation between Jamaica and China on sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
Among the main objectives of the MOU are to prevent the entry and spread of pests and epidemic diseases of animals and plants into one country from the other; to protect from disease the production of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery resources; and to strengthen bilateral exchange and cooperation in the field of the entry and exit of animal and plant inspection and quarantine.
The signing of this MOU paves the way for duly licensed Jamaican fishery processing establishments to be able to export live lobsters to China and Jamaican lobster exporters are hoping that through this MOU they will see a doubling of their exports.
-30-
Recent News
See all news
Posted on 12/10/2026
MIIC’s Hurricane Melissa Recovery – How to Access MSME Restoration Grants | Jamaica Magazine (Video)
As Jamaica continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) remains focused on helping affected businesses rebuild and restore their operations. On this episode of Jamaica Magazine...
Posted on 12/10/2026
MSME Restoration Grant Programme | Get the Facts with Minister Aubyn Hill (Video)
Small businesses are vital to Jamaica’s economy, and we recognise the challenges many entrepreneurs continue to face as they recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. On this episode of Get the Facts, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of I...
Posted on 10/10/2026
Honey Bun Opens $1-Billion Manufacturing Facility in St. Catherine
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill (centre), converses with Honey Bun Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Chong (right), during a tour of the company’s new manufacturing facility at the MJS Industrial and ...
