Spain denies charges against Vietnam's tra and basa

Spain's central food security watchdog has denied allegations against imports of Vietnam's tra and basa catfish into the country and attributed the misinterpretations to the "false information" provided by the European Commission (EC).

Vietnam's catfish passing through Vigo and Bilbal seaports last July have tested negative from substances banned by the European Commission, said Roberto Sabrido, President of the Spanish Agency of Food Security and Nutrition.

Late last month, Spain's Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs also confirmed that Vietnamese catfish has met food safety regulations set by the European Union (EU) and pose no harm to human health.

Spain is one of the largest markets, accounting for 40,000 tonnes of Vietnamese catfish yearly, statistics from Spanish Marine Aquaculture Producers Association (APROMAR) show.