Don’t worry about “warnings” for seafood exports

Expecting seafood exports this year will reach 7 billion USD. Photo: N.Thanh

Do not panic!

In recent times, seafood export has been warned in many imported markets because of containing chemical and antibiotics, especially from the EU market. At the end of May 2016, the European Commission issued a warning letter to Vietnam that they had not really fixed the problem of using chemicals and antibiotics banned in aquaculture and seafood processing. Most recently, seafood exports to the EU market received “new waves” when 11 export consignments were warned due to residues of heavy metals (mercury, cadmium) exceeding the limit the maximum allowed, up 2.2 times compared to 2015, from January to September 2016.

Some points of view state that, in particular, the EU and other markets have warnings that relate to the quality of Vietnamese seafood exports which are putting the market in danger, even losing the market. However, Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, Secretary General of Association of Seafood Processing and Export Vietnam (VASEP) has an optimistic perspective. He said that the export of seafood products were alerted, particularly as a recent case from the EU, enterprises should not panic. It is important to consider the actual violations. The EU warned the use of heavy metal residues in export shipments is exclusively focused on some specific items given in low numbers. This may not result in most of Vietnam's seafood exports being at risk of being warned.

According to Mr. Hoe, currently, the seafood exporting companies in the EU are very carefully controlled. Shipments must also have certificates of export standards. Goods exports are checked. This is the general principle and we must comply. Therefore, there are cases where export goods are tested before fully meeting the requirements of import markets. However, when exporting, the shipments have to be re-checked and and threats detected. Meanwhile, companies have tried to apply the full range of risk management measures but the export products still will be alerted. Thus, it must be reconsidered. If individual goods have big risk, it could be to have a plan for limitations, even not export the item again.

"Of course, at a different angle to assert, not only for the EU but also other markets, to reduce the state of alert, the control process for food safety must be made ultimately and stronger. Regarding quality, there are many factors that need to be analyzed specific to each commodity group, and each individual export market. Thus to propose measures immediately, because there is no perfect program to cover all the risks", Mr. Hoe said.

Handling violations strictly

In fact, every seafood exporter was warned of containing chemicals and antibiotics or residues of heavy metals, the Department of Quality Management Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Nafiqad), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development always promptly sends reports to the company requiring export seafood enterprises to review their quality control program, establish and implement measures to strengthen the control of hazards, including special attention to the control of natural origin of imported raw seafood for processing, etc.

However, in fact, the announcement only contributes to solving part of the problem. To remove from the base, some experts said that: “firstly, the Government and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should have specific programs towards raising awareness for all parts of the seafood value chain such as farmers, traders, processing facilities,… about products without containing antibiotics, chemicals; avoid immediate benefits could case ruin the reputation of the whole seafood market in the long-term. The process of propagation and dissemination to the people directly and aquaculture for identifing the types of appropriate chemicals and antibiotics as well as efficient which ensure safety, but not abuse.

Besides that, it is necessary to strengthen control and inspect and strictly handle violations of regulations on the circulation, distribution and use of chemicals and antibiotics in the production of aquaculture business; Research conducted at the same time proposing additional mechanisms enacted policies to support the reorganization of production, connecting producers with processing, distribution, development and expansion of the fisheries supply chain security.

Generally, seen from the perspective of the industry in particular, shrimp and seafood, Mr. Le Van Quang, Chairman of the Board, General Director of JSC Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, said: “At present, households in mainly shrimp hatching under extensive area and the enterprises want to strictly control the quality of the input materials. In the long run, for the shrimp industry in particular and generally in fisheries to develop basically and sustainability, the Government and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development need to have a clear plan which concentrates on farming areas across the country. For example, for the shrimp industry there are about 2-5 areas focused on shrimp 1.000-1.500ha area/zone. These zones will create more incentives for access to capital, tax levels ... as well as be fully equipped with clean water, and a transportation system that is convenient, enabling farming, transporting... only when deployment is growing on such a scale, only then can there be assurance of quality and also contribute to lower costs, ensuring the competitiveness of products on international markets.