May 24, 2024

 

Denmark and Vietnam sign MoU for sustainable food production, creating efficient supply chains

 

Denmark and Vietnam are working to strengthen their collaboration in the area of sustainable agricultural development.

 

Jacob Jensen, Denmark's Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, visited Vietnam on May 14-16, accompanied by Danish agricultural and food companies specialising in green transformation and sustainability. The delegation included companies with advanced technology and expertise in sustainable development.

 

Both countries signed an memorandum of understanding aimed to engage in high-level policy dialogues focusing on sustainable food production and the development of efficient, resource-saving supply chains.

 

Denmark and Vietnam have had close cooperation on food safety and animal feed production.

 

Denmark's green transition in sustainable food production has resulted in the development of innovative methods and approaches throughout the value chain, which enhance production yield and improve product quality while reducing water and energy consumption.

 

The country has cooperated with Vietnam in developing the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) Food programme. This programme is an important component of the Green Strategic Partnership agreement launched by the the Danish and Vietnamese prime ministers in November 2023. The countries are dedicated to advancing green transition and growth, supporting Vietnam in building a green economy and fulfilling its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, according to ASEAN Briefing.

 

The programme is managed by the Danish Animal and Food Authority (DVFA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (MARD). Both ministries have conducted joint missions to leverage Danish expertise and experience in addressing local priorities, conditions and needs in Vietnam.

 

The SSC's goals are to foster sustainable and responsible growth, create jobs and enhance prosperity in Vietnam, while also opening business opportunities for Danish companies.

 

The project is divided into two phases.

 

In Phase 1, the project aims to enhance the foundational conditions for developing the animal feed industry by building the capacity of state officials and improving the legal framework for the prudent use of veterinary medicines.

 

In Phase 2, spanning from April 2020 to April 2024, the cooperation programme focuses on several key areas: increasing the capacity of local officials at all stages of the food chain from farm to table, combating antibiotic resistance (AMR), controlling animal feed and ensuring the traceability and recall of unsafe foods.

 

- ASEAN Briefing