June 26, 2008
Vietnam signs agreement with US to promote seafood safety
Vietnam has entered into an agreement with the US for a thorough check on the safety issues regarding its fish and fishery products for export.
The latest move is in line with the two countries' strengthened partnership in ensuring trade of safe food and feed products.
Discussions between the US Secretary of Health Mike Leavitt and senior Vietnamese officials in Hanoi just two months ago pushed for actively working with trading partners to help ensure they maintain quality into every step of a product's life cycle.
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) deputy secretary Tevi Troy said trade between Vietnam and the US has grown exponentially in recent years with emphasis on health getting stronger.
Furthermore, the two counties agreed to exchange information on their respective regulatory systems, such as details on laws and regulations; guidance documents; lists of drugs approved by HHS' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in aquaculture and training opportunities on safety surveillance.