April 22, 2005

EU seafood inspectors in Vietnam

A group of EU inspectors are in Vietnam to review the country's efforts in ensuring safety and sanitation in seafood production

After high levels of antibiotics were found in Vietnamese seafood exports, the EU Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General felt the need to inspect the laboratories of provincial fisheries departments, processing units and seafood breeding areas. 

The Vietnamese Fisheries Ministry has since assured the EU it would suspend seafood producers that have had cargos containing high antibiotics levels from selling their products to the EU.

Fisheries departments of every province have been ordered to increase control over banned antibiotics and chemicals, while governing agencies must ensure strict control over all origins of domestic seafood.