Vietnam works to enhance implementation of SPS Agreement

Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang has signed a decision approving the plan to enhance the implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and SPS commitments within free trade agreements.

Under the plan, Vietnam aims to raise the percentage of technical standards on food safety to be in harmony with 70% of international standards by 2025.

In the next two years, 100% of officials responsible for food safety and plant and animal health will be trained and updated annually on professional knowledge, with 80% of key goods and their corresponding markets to have manuals on SPS compliance.

By 2030, all of Vietnam’s national standards on food safety regarding agricultural, forestry, and seafood products will be harmonized with international standards.

Currently, Vietnam’s primary agricultural export markets are all tending to increase SPS measures, such as changing the maximum allowed levels of pesticide residue and antibiotic residue.

Therefore, the plan on enhancing the implementation of SPS is significant in raising awareness on food safety and plant and animal health for all parties in the production, processing, business and consumption chain.

It is expected to improve Vietnamese exporters’ capacity to meet international standards on agricultural exports, thereby diversifying markets and increasing export revenue.

Source: Nhan Dan News