July 25, 2007

Russia says Vietnam seafood quality improving  

An inspection team from Russia has expressed satisfaction on twenty Vietnam seafood plants that are allowed to export to the Russian market.

Inspectors from the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) finished their 10-day inspection of a catfish breeding area in Ben Tre province and 19 processing facilities in the Mekong Delta and praised the farmers' efficient breeding process and treatment of hatcheries.

The group also lauded the plants' efforts to correct the problems they earlier pointed out.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has issued directives in April that only enterprises that have its food safety and hygiene certificates would be licensed to export seafood to Russia.

Russia included Vietnam on its banned list due to problems with food safety standards.

The National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate is expected to sign an agreement with the VPSS to facilitate bilateral seafood trade.