Decision 1802/QD-BNN-QLCL takes effect 45 days after the date of issue and in compliance with the latest provisions of Fisheries Law 2017 and Decree 26/2019/ND-CP of 8 March 2019, replaces Decision No. 3379/QD-BNN-QLCL of 15 August 2017 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Development.
Vietnam meets the export requirements of Siluriformes fish to the United States
On December 2nd, 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture announced FSIS-2008-0031 regulation on mandatory inspection of fish products and Siluriformes fish.
On August 15th, 2017, in Decision No. 3379/QD-BNN-QLCL, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued the Food safety control program for fish products and Siluriformes fish exports to U.S. market.
On November 21st, 2017, the 14th National Assembly issued the Law on Fisheries 2017 (effective from January 1st, 2019).
On March 8th, 2019, the Government issued Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Fisheries Law; in which general provisions on aquaculture conditions and invalidating Decree No. 55/2017/ND-CP on management of farming, processing and exporting Tra products.
Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new control program to update Siluriformes fish farming conditions according to the new regulations. At the same time, the shortcomings and problems of the control program are improved and issued Decision No. 3379/QD-BNN-QLCL dated August 15th, 2017 – “Food safety control program for fish products and Siluriformes fish exports to U.S. market”.
As required by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to maintain equivalent accreditation, the Vietnamese Competent Authority is required to submit an updated Self Reporting Tools (SRT) on the control system for Siluriformes fish food safety and hygiene exported to the United States.
On February 12th, 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision No. 389/QD-BNN-QLCL on the establishment of the Working Group to work with working team of FSIS.
Accordingly, The National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) has presided and coordinated with the Department of Animal Health, the Directorate of Fisheries, the Department of International Cooperation and relevant agencies and units to review, amend legal documents in Sanitary control, food safety of Siluriformes fish exported to the United States to update Self Reporting Tools (SRTs) to FSIS.
At the same time, The National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department also presides and coordinates with the Directorate of Fisheries to develop a draft decision to replace the Decision No. 3379/QD-BNN-QLCL on the basis of the regulations of Fisheries Law 2017, Decree 26/2019/ND-CP and related Circulars issued by the Ministry.
In addition, the Department held a consultation, online meeting with representatives of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), 13 enterprises processing of Siluriforms exported to the United States, 10 The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province/city operates Siluriformes farming. As a result, the draft decision was approved to send the SRTs promptly to the FSIS on time required.
On May 22nd, 2020, in Decision No. 1802/QD-BNN-QLCL, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued the Food safety control program for fish products and Siluriformes fish exports to U.S. market which applies to units, organizations and individuals involved in activities of raising, harvesting, transporting, slaughtering, processing, preserving and exporting Siluriformes to the United States market.
Le Mai (theo tongcucthuysan.gov.vn)