Notification to the Parties

CONCERNING:

Trade in caviar and the universal labelling system for the identification of caviar

1. In Resolution Conf. 11.13 (Universal labelling system for the identification of caviar) the Conference of the Parties recommends that the procedures described in the text of the Resolution should take effect "as soon as possible for export quotas for the year 2001".

2. The Secretariat is aware that several Parties have encountered difficulties in the practical implementation of a labelling system for exports of caviar. It has noted, however, that China and the Russian Federation now have such systems in place (see Notifications to the Parties Nos. 2001/087 and 2001/088) and that several other Parties are developing such systems.

3. The Secretariat encourages all caviar exporting countries that have not already done so to provide details of their labelling systems for exports of caviar and examples of the labels that will be used as soon as possible.

4. The Secretariat believes that sufficient time has been allowed to put in place the procedures necessary for the implementation of Resolution Conf. 11.13. Consequently it will, from 31 December 2001, recommend to importing countries that no shipments of caviar from exporting countries should be accepted unless they are labelled in a manner that complies with the terms of Resolution Conf. 11.13. Accompanying documents should also contain the information specified in the Resolution.