January 4, 2008

Spain, Portugal reject Vietnam's seafood over EU issues

EU members Spain and Portugal have rejected imports of swordfish and tuna from Vietnam due to the latter's membership issues from an international fishery association.

The EU is a member of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) which was set up in June 2004 and any exporting country to the region must abide with the commission's regulations.

WCPFC members can only import fish caught within areas/countries belonging to the commission or countries that have signed cooperation agreements with WCPFC. Fishing boats also have to register with the commission.

Vietnam is not yet a member of the commission and its boats are not yet registered, thus Spain and Portugal's refusal.

EU officials thus suggested Vietnam's membership or trade agreement with the WCPFC to resume exports with the two countries.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has sent a dispatch to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to cooperate with the commission.

MOIT fears that Vietnam's seafood exports to the EU will be affected if some agreement will not be made with the WCPFC.