• Sweden edition
National

Swedish bureaucrats force tuna fish on Asian detour

Published: 30 Oct 09 08:08 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22966/20091030/

An 11 tonne cargo of tuna fish forced to make a return journey to Thailand because of faulty paperwork has now completed its voyage back to Sweden.

The cargo of tuna fish originally landed at Gothenburg harbour in June. But as the paperwork was not completed correctly health and safety bureaucrats left the importer with a tough choice - destroy the valuable cargo or send it on a return journey to south-east Asia.

Matkompaniet, a food firm based in Borås in western Sweden, chose the latter course of action, and after an epic voyage lasting several months the cargo has now returned to Swedish shores.

"We don't know whether to laugh or cry," Tommy Blomqvist at Matkompaniet said in the face of regulatory intransigence in June.

The firm now hopes that steps can be taken to prevent any future recurrence.

"The regulations forced the National Food Administration to do this. But we have also received indication that the rules could be eased so that it will be easier to correct paperwork errors that have been made," Pete Karlsson at the firm told local news website BT.se on Thursday.

TT/Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

10:18 October 30, 2009 by Rick Methven
I suppose the Tuna is only fit for cat food now?
15:20 October 30, 2009 by Nemesis
That was vindictiveness.
17:55 October 30, 2009 by Atlas
This reminds me of how a guy was financially ruined because his banana cargo was blocked at customs (thus they got bad), while the cargo of a competitor was unloaded because that one was the brother of ex-finance minister of Albania at that time (from socialist party) who had authority over customs.
01:51 November 18, 2009 by beeker
If the cargo met specs and the only mistake was the paper work. a fax or two should of made everything right. otherwise if something was fishy with the fish then making cat food out of it would have been the right thing to do. A BueFin is worth a bunch of money so i don't blame the importer for sending it back, but wheather or not its the same cargo, both in type and quality, on the return is anyones guess.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Male nurse dons dress in shorts shortage rage

Male nurse dons dress in shorts shortage rage

A male Swedish nurse has donned a dress to protest the lack of shorts at a hospital in southern Sweden, saying he had to fight the small battles for gender equality in the workplace. READ () »

Assange is the UK's problem: lawyer

Assange is the UK's problem: lawyer

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is prepared to spend another five years inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London, but one Swedish lawyer said on Tuesday that the decision would not affect the Swedish case. READ () »

Transport chaos threatens Midsummer

Transport chaos threatens Midsummer

A public transport strike appears likely to kick off on Wednesday night after unions and state-transport heads failed to agree on workers' pay and conditions after three days of discussions. READ () »

Puppy smuggling shows no signs of abating

Puppy smuggling shows no signs of abating

Almost 2,000 puppies are smuggled illegally to Sweden every year, new statistics reveal, putting Sweden at risk of rabies while endangering the life and health of the trendy dogs. READ () »

Train driver slams beggar on loudspeaker

Train driver slams beggar on loudspeaker

A Swedish train driver has been criticized for using the loudspeaker to warn passengers about a beggar on board a Stockholm commuter train, and encouraging them to save their money and rip up the beggar's papers. READ () »

Stockholm travellers a repeat problem: police

Stockholm travellers a repeat problem: police

A travelling community has moved on after Stockholm University exchange students were forced out of their accommodation over safety concerns, with police claiming the situation is nothing new. READ () »

Swedish princess bride escapes traffic fine

Swedish princess bride escapes traffic fine

Stockholm City Police have decided not to issue Princess Madeleine a fine for driving in the bus lane a few days before her high-profile wedding, after confusion about her rights to use the lane. READ () »

No review for hand-shake discrimination case

The Swedish Justice Ombudsman will not look at a case in western Sweden where a man was paid damages for not being given an internship after he refused to shake a female boss's hand for religious reasons. READ () »

More National

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
fastighetsbyrån.se Elodie Pradet/The Local File photo: AP File photo: Scanpix Private Göran Höglund/Flickr Finest.se Scanpix Ann Törnkvist Stefan Larsson Private DoToday Scanpix, C More The Local Finest.se Facebook The Local Scanpix Ann Törnkvist/The Local Henrik Montgomery/Scanpix CDC/Wikipedia (File) kristja/sxc.hu (File) Gary Krarper/Wikipedia (File) Fastighetsbyrån Swedish expats use book club to survive London Finest.se Sergei Grits Silence/WikiCommons Oliver Gee Oliver Gee Scanpix veidekke/Flickr The Local launches Italy's news in English Eddie Gee David V. Hughes

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

13 June 22:03

This weeks results..week 24/25 »

"A weekend full of surprises and LFC football. Results look like this: Div 5 Men won 4-2, K1 lost 5-0, K2 won 2-1, Vets lost 3-2, R1 lost 4-1. Korpen Ladies play Monday night and on the 26th the Div5 Men close the first half season with the last match before the summer kicks in. /LFC " READ »

The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE