|
VIETNAM is to increase food safety inspections at its seafood processing plants, following overseas criticism from some quarters about the way its fishing industry is operated.
The move, by the country's National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (Nafiqad) follows up on a circular issued late last month by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development which called for clearly indicating origins and withdrawing products that do not meet quality and safety standards.
The moves seek to bolster exports of aquaculture produce by ensuring their quality following widespread reports of quality violations late last year. Following an inspection of 30 Vietnamese aquaculture companies last month, Ukraine's State Committee for Veterinary Medicine approved only 10 of them to export to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, France, Vietnam's former Colonial rulers has agreed to help the Vietnamese fishing fleet improve its safety. The country's 3,000 high seas trawlers will be fitted with location devices. Under the project on monitoring fishing vessels by satellite project signed in Paris recently France’s Collecte Localisiation Satellite Company will supply equipment, transfer installation technology and provide training for Vietnamese officials in using the equipment. The project worth 13.9 million euros will be carried out from 2011-2014 with the use of the French government’s official development assistance loans. Thanks to the advanced devices, fishermen will get early information on storms and bad weather as well as on potential fishing grounds.
Chu Tien Vinh, director from Fisheries Department - the project beneficiary, said if the project proves to be successful, the department will ask for permission to install the equipment for an additional 2,000 vessels.
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
