Application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) in improving the global competitiveness of the fish industry with special reference to the Nile Perch (Tanzania)

Not only have non-trade barriers been applied in Europe and the US to agricultural products from developing countries, but protective policy is also likely to continue. Owing to the omission of fish from the discussions in the final round of agreement at Uruguay, where tariffs were significantly reduced for other agricultural products, the fish industry has not had any non tarriff barier relief in recent years. The failure of the November 1999 World Trade Organisation Meeting at Seattle to reach any agreement, has again shattered hopes of international relief for fishery products. The main assumption underlying the study was that the production of fish in Tanzania could improve significantly if the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles were applied rigorously. It was believed that neither the prerequisite programmes, nor HACCP principles were probably applied as stringently as international standards require. The aim of the study was to review the literature on HACCP, programmes that are prerequisite for HACCP and factors that_ determine competitiveness in business and to examine the Tanzanian Nile perch industry against this background. The overall goal was to determine how the industry could become more internationally competitive. This was achieved by comparing the socio-economic reality of Tanzania with factors that are considered in the literature to affect competitiveness in general and in the fish industry specifically. To achieve the first of these aims, Tanzania's socioeconomic position as a developing country was examined. To achieve the latter, the commitment of fish processing factories to the application of HACCP principles and their compliance with prerequisite programmes were evaluated in a field study. The literature study confirms that HACCP has received international recognition in the fish industry as a factor to prevent hazards and gain competitiveness in the global fish market. However, conditions in Tanzania were shown to be insufficient to support the fisheries sector in attempting to gain such a competitive advantage. Although, Tanzania has the comparative advantage of a fishery resource base, a favourable trade policy and foreign technology and management, the macro-factors that include the infrastructure, human resource capital, foreign policy environment and the supporting industries are not supportive. For the time being, therefore, improvement can only come from the government and from the industry itself. v Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za There are several factors to which the government needs to pay attention in order to support this industry and others in achieving international success. These include the provision of infrastructure and facilities, the improvement of the transportation network, technological capabilities, human resource capital and the provision of safe water and electric power. However, the fish industry cannot rely on the government alone. The improvement of their product is also dependent on their own efforts. According to the findings of this study, the industry needs to comply with the basic sanitation factors and provide the necessary training to the employees and fish suppliers. Having examined the situation more closely, the assumption is proved to be correct. The fish industry in Tanzania does indeed appear to have the potential to become internationally competitive. Such success, however, will be heavily dependent on cooperation between the government and the industry vi Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za