August 3, 2016
Vietnamese seafood exporters asked to conform to standards
The Vietnamese government has called on seafood producers to comply with international export regulations if they want to continue exporting their products, particularly to the Australian market, which has announced a more stringent inspection system.
The director of the National Agro, Forestry and Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD), Nguyễn Như Tiệp, said his agency had been notified by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) about the inspection of seafood products imported to Australia, according to Việt Nam News.
FSANZ said foods imported to Australia will be categorised into two groups: high-risk products and surveillance products. Different inspection frequencies will apply to these two groups.
The first group includes such products as boiled crustaceans/shrimp, mackerel/tuna, processed and instant fish, mixed seafood, and monitoring products.
Surveillance foods include fish; fresh, frozen, dried and salted fish paste; sardines; salmon and fish sauces.
Foods will be initially inspected and tested at a rate of 100 of consignments, and once five consecutive consignments have passed inspection, the inspection rate may be reduced to 25%. After further 20 consecutive passes, the inspection rate may be reduced to 5%.
FSANZ said any consignment of high-risk and surveillance foods that fails will return to 100% testing until a history of compliance is re-established.
Vietnamese seafood exports declined to US$117 million in 2015 from the previous year's $225 million, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.