Draft US regulations hinder Vietnamese seafood exports

(VOV) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) warns the seafood inspection legislation the US Government is considering risk negatively affecting Vietnam’s seafood export businesses.

The MARD’s surveys of export businesses themselves suggest the industry is concerned about the likely impacts of the legislation.

If enacted, Vietnam’s fish producing, processing, and packaging procedures would need to mimic their American equivalents. Vietnamese tra fish imports might be halted.

At a recent commercial councillor meeting in HCM City, Vietnamese Councillor for US Trade Dao Tran Nhan, urged Vietnamese businesses to keep abreast of legislative developments.

Nhan noted Vietnamese businesses would need at least five to seven years to upgrade their production and processing procedures to US seafood industry standards.

Vietnamese seafood exporters would have no US market access during the interim.

The MARD’s International Cooperation Department believes the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s draft regulations aim to implement its Food Safety Modernisation Act.

The department said businesses should scrutinize and submit their opinions on amendments to the draft regulation for consideration by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

These opinions should be submitted before January 27.

Vietnam enjoyed a 5.7% share of the US seafood import market in the first half of 2013.

The US Department of Agriculture lists it fifth among 134 seafood-exporting nations.

Source: http://english.vov.vn/