November 6, 2006

 

Vietnam's seafood exports to Japan under threat
 

 

Vietnam's seafood exports are teetering dangerously close to being banned by Japanese authorities after more cases of prohibited antibiotic substances in Vietnamese seafood exported to the country were found.

 

In October, Japan issued two instructions on Vietnam shrimp imports. At first, they ordered half the shipments to be examined, this was later expanded to include all shipments.

 

Japan may ban shrimp imports from Vietnam if the situation worsens. This would have caused huge repercussions for the industry as exports to Japan account for half the Vietnamese shrimp exports. Vietnam's shrimp exports are estimated to be worth US$1.2 billion yearly.

 

Vietnam has also received warnings from Japanese authorities about the discovery of dangerous additives, such as chloramphenicol in Vietnam's recent cuttlefish shipments.

 

As of July this year, sixteen violations in Japanese food hygiene have been committed by Vietnamese seafood exporters.

 

The threat of a ban comes as Vietnam's seafood exports to Japan is expected to reach US$750 million this year, the Trade Ministry said. 

 

Repeated warnings from the Vietnamese Ministry of Fisheries to local departments for tighter control of material supplies and threats of inspection tours have done little to improve the situation.

 

The Ministry of Fisheries stated in a recent report that prohibited chemical substances and antibiotic substances were still being used in several workshops that make products for export.

 

Tran Van Linh, Director of Da Nang-based Thuan Phuoc Seafood and Trading Company, said the ministry lacks teeth to punish violators and merely issues warnings.

 

Although The National Fisheries Quality Assuarance and Veterinary Directorate (NAFIQAVED) has offered to inspect all consignments of shrimp to be exported to Japan, it came under fire from businesses who were turned off by its high cost. Nafiqaved certificates are also not recognised by the importers

 

In fact, the two consignments of shrimp exported to Japan that were discovered to contain prohibited substances had been awarded Nafiqaved certificates.

 

Vietnamese shrimp exporters have opposed the move for the Ministries of Fisheries to inspect all consignments of shrimp to be exported to Japan itself,as they believed it would hinder trade and competitiveness.