November 9, 2005

Vietnam allows production safety model for fisheries company

Vietnamese authorities have allowed An Giang Seafood Import Export Joint Stock Company (Agifish) to develop a model for safe fish production, in a bid to prevent antibiotic abuse in aquaculture.

The Ministry of Fisheries would expand the model to other provinces to raise seafood quality for export, if the model proved successful, Agifish's general director Ngo Phuoc Hau said.

Seafood processing companies and fish farms would be key members involved in the model. Farms would work in groups and each member was required to achieve a stated minimum output. Members would also work under guidance and supervision of quality controllers, to create a close process from breeding to fish processing.

Hau added that clients would have the right to inspect all stages of production before signing contracts, and observe the production potential and origin of members' seafood.