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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has no plans to ban imports of Chinese seafood despite a U.S. ban on shipments of farm-raised catfish, shrimp and other seafood from the Asian country, a spokesman for the EU's health chief said.

The EU said it was increasing controls on Chinese food imports last week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it would not allow imports of the Chinese seafood until suppliers proved shipments were free from harmful residues.

"We are happy these controls meet the necessary requirements so, no, we do not plan to ban Chinese seafood," Philip Tod, spokesman for EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, said on Tuesday.

"We will of course continue to analyze and monitor the situation and carry out regular reviews."

However, Tod confirmed an increase in the number of food products imported into the EU from China found to contain dangerous veterinary residues reported in the last year. Click here to continue for a Full Article

By Darren Ennis - Reuters