Page 325 - CAVIAR GUIDE

rules.Consumers will also benefit from these new labelling requirements as they will
allow them to verify the legality of caviar when making their purchasing choices.

STURGEON PRODUCTS AFFECTED
Credit Sergey Kuznetsov : All caviar from all species of sturgeon and paddlefish are covered by CITES.Common

names and grades of caviar include:Beluga,asetra,osetra,sevruga,kaluga,hackleback,
paddlefish,shovel-nosed sturgeon,American sturgeon,American black and sterlet.
CITES covers trade in all specimens,parts and products (derivatives) of sturgeons and
paddlefish,including caviar,meat,leather,live fish,fertilized eggs,cartilage and fish
glue.Pressed caviar,pasteurized caviar and the most commonly exported caviar, lightly
salted "malossol",are also covered by CITES.Any international shipments of these
products must therefore always be accompanied by the relevant CITES permits.For
further information on CITES permits,contact the CITES Management Authority in your
country or visit the CITES Secretariat website (at www.cites.org).

The CITES labelling requirements currently apply only to caviar.Roe from non- CITES-
listed fish,including products often referred to as "caviar substitutes",are not regulated
by CITES.In several countries (and in the EU),the use of the word "caviar" is
restricted,by law,to roe of sturgeon and paddlefish.

LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

Under the CITES requirements for caviar labelling,all primary containers of caviar
must have a non-reusable label,which means that the label cannot be removed
without being damaged.This includes tins,boxes,jars or any other container into
which caviar is directly packed,regardless of their size or whether their shipping
destination is domestic or international.The labelling requirements apply to all caviar
whether it is produced for commercial or non-commercial purposes and sold
internationally or on the domestic market.The non-reusable label is to be affixed by
a processing or re-packaging plant.The label must either seal the container or the
caviar must be packaged in such a manner as to permit visual evidence of any
opening of the container.The information that appears on the label must be included
in or attached to the CITES export permit.There are two types of labels—the type
used depends on whether the caviar is packed by a processing plant in the country of
origin or re-packaged in another country.

Photos above:

Caviar seized in Germany in
March 2005.
Credit: Customs Investigation Office Essen,
Germany