January 24, 2008

Vietnam to develop trademark for catfish exports

Vietnam's government will continue directing its efforts to improve quality standards for tra and basa catfish exports and develop a 'Made-in-Vietnam' trademark.

Luong Le Phuong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said a quality benchmark and international brand for the seafood industry is needed.

In 2007, catfish and shrimp earned the country US$3.8 billion. The target revenue for 2008 is US$4.25 billion. For this to be done, Phuong said the country has to implement a national policy for seafood produce.

Nguyen Tu Cuong, director of the National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate (NAFIQAVED), said the agency is currently drafting guidelines to regulate labeling, detailing water content, and use of chemicals in catfish exports.

The labels would have at least six components which are the name, net weight, production date, producer's name, quality code, and country of origin.

Vietnam officials aim to ensure that water content should not exceed 10 percent of the net weight, although some importing countries specified 20 percent.

NAFIQAVED's draft also lists 43 chemicals that are permitted for processing and freezing the fish.

Cuong said that seafood processors will be denied to export if they fail to meet any of the criteria.