The legal system, organising mechanism and the performance of
Vietnamese agencies in charge of controlling the quality and safety of
seafood production at both central and grassroots levels have met
European Commission (EC)’s regulations.
The
assessment was made after a group of EU inspectors conducted a
fact-finding trip to the Vietnamese agencies last year, the National
Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) has
said.
However, the mission also pointed out
shortcomings relating to hygienic conditions at pre-processing
facilities, including fishing boats, ports and fish-raising farms.
NAFIQAD has asked provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural
Development to continue the awareness work and training on food safety
for boat owners and managers at fishing ports, farms and purchasing
agents.
Agro-forestry-fisheries quality assurance
branches are also required to intensify their inspection over hygienic
conditions at the pre-processing facilities.
Businesses that process aquatic products for export are asked to use
materials verified by municipal and provincial agro-forestry-fisheries
quality assurance branches.-VNA