She noted that while the import of iodized fish from seas and oceans plays its role, it is important to understand whether the new bill will negatively impact local fish farmers.
In response, Deputy Minister of Economy Choro Seiitov reported that the ministries of economy and agriculture plan to conduct an analysis of import and export volumes. According to him, within the framework of the EAEU, Kyrgyzstan has the opportunity to impose temporary restrictions on the import of goods for up to six months in the event of a sharp increase in imports or threats to the domestic market. If necessary, protective measures will be applied.
Amanova also drew attention to the export potential of Kyrgyz mountain trout and emphasized the need for legislative support for domestic producers, linking this to the aquaculture development program until 2029.
During the meeting, the committee discussed the draft law "On the Ratification of the Protocol Amending the Marrakech Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization." This document provides for Kyrgyzstan's accession to the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies.
This draft law is necessary to fulfill internal procedures that will allow the agreement, adopted on June 17, 2022, at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, to come into force. The agreement became the first multilateral document with binding legal force aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring the sustainable use of marine biological resources.
The fisheries subsidies agreement introduces a ban on government support for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, as well as preventing the overexploitation of fish stocks. It also establishes key definitions in the field of fisheries, regulates the procedure for notifying about the detention of vessels suspected of illegal activities, and organizes the work of the Committee on Fisheries Subsidies.
The committee approved the draft law in the first reading, concluding the discussion.
