Is it difficult to control residues in farmed seafood?

According to the plan, from September 24 to October 17, the inspection team of the European Union (EU) will inspect Vietnam on the residue control program in aquaculture. The results of this inspection will affect not only Vietnam's seafood products exported to the European market, but also the chain to other markets and the entire seafood industry.

Both exploitation and aquaculture are difficult.

At the conference to disseminate and prepare for working with the EU inspection team on the residue program in farmed seafood, recently organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), a representative of the Food Safety Department (FSD), the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, MARD said that after the 2023 EU inspection, the Ministry has issued a separate control program for seafood production, processing and export activities to Europe. There are 10 issues pointed out by the EU, Vietnam has met 9 issues, with 1 remaining issue regarding chemical and antibiotic residues.

In October, the EU will inspect Vietnam's residue control program in farmed seafood. Photo: N. Lan.

After that, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sent a document requesting the People's Committees of provinces and cities to control food safety in the production and trading of aquatic products for domestic consumption and export. The provinces have issued plans, but it seems that aquaculture facilities, individuals and organizations pay little attention to this issue and continue to use antibiotics indiscriminately. The representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development warned that in October, if the IUU "yellow card" in aquatic exploitation is not removed, and there are also problems with residues in farmed aquatic products, the EU will completely close its doors to Vietnamese aquatic products in the European market.

High-tech shrimp farming model in Bac Binh

The above information is very worrying, when the province's aquaculture is developing towards high-yield industrial production. With an annual aquaculture output of 11,000 - 12,000 tons, it has created favorable conditions for the development of the province's seafood processing industry. Currently, the whole province has 218 seafood processing and preliminary processing facilities, of which 31 processing enterprises are directly exported with a total processed output of about 64,800 tons/year. Most seafood processing enterprises in the province are certified to meet food safety conditions, are certified and apply the HACCP quality management program, BRC standards... Compared to 2013, the output of processed (frozen) seafood in 2023 increased by 12.54%, fish sauce output increased by 28.24%; the number of HACCP certified facilities increased by 170%.

Seafood processing and export enterprise. (Photo: N. Lan)

Currently, the seafood processing and export industry is identified by Binh Thuan province as a key industry, contributing significantly to the province's export turnover. Compared to previous years, seafood processing and export establishments and enterprises in the province have focused on investing, modernizing technology, improving productivity, quality and efficiency of seafood processing. Exported seafood products have so far reached all continents in the world, including major markets such as the EU, Korea, Japan, the US, Africa, the Middle East, ASEAN, etc.

The amount of antibiotics in whiteleg shrimp is often higher.

To maintain export market

However, according to the EU Agency for the Enforcement of Health and Food Safety Policies (DG-SANTE), the number of seafood shipments from Vietnam that have been warned due to excessive chemical and antibiotic residues has recently increased significantly. This has led to the EU's decision to conduct a field inspection to comprehensively assess the residue control program in Vietnam. This inspection program is part of the EU's food safety inspection and analysis plan from 2021 - 2025.

Clean shrimp farming is one of the effective solutions for sustainable development of aquaculture.

According to the relevant authorities, antibiotics are still allowed to be used in aquaculture. If the right type, concentration and dosage are used for each stage of development of aquatic species such as shrimp, fish, snails, etc., it will bring positive effects in increasing resistance, minimizing harmful diseases, especially on white-leg shrimp. However, most shrimp farmers do not know which antibiotics are banned, what concentration is appropriate and how long the quarantine period is to ensure safety. Therefore, in addition to investing in shrimp farming through pond renovation, using quality breeds, managing and caring for farmed shrimp according to the correct process, etc., equipping people with knowledge of food safety on farmed animals is also an urgent issue. In particular, recently in the province, there has been a facility investing in high-tech shrimp farming, not using antibiotics on shrimp, instead using 100% environmentally friendly biological products, a wastewater treatment system that meets the standards of the Department of Fisheries and relevant authorities. Clean shrimp farming is one of the effective solutions for sustainable development of aquaculture in our country.

Creating conditions for seafood processing enterprises to invest and increase product value. (Photo: N. Lan)

To continue to maintain the export market, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to update information and implement action plans to best prepare for this inspection. In addition, the Department of Fisheries recommends that localities strengthen the direction of functional units to strictly implement the provisions of the Food Safety Law, related decrees and circulars. At the same time, strictly handle violations in the production, trading and use of drugs and chemicals banned for use in aquaculture.

In the coming time, the province will strengthen the development of aquaculture of aquatic species with advantages and high economic value, focusing on the application of advanced technology in aquaculture associated with environmental protection. At the same time, develop diversified aquatic product processing in terms of scale and products associated with raw material areas. Create conditions for aquatic product processing enterprises to invest, increase product value, gradually restructure frozen processed products towards increasing the proportion of value-added products...

The EU is one of Vietnam’s main seafood consumption markets. If the results of this inspection are not positive, it will directly affect the processing and export activities of many businesses and affect seafood export turnover.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/kiem-soat-du-luong-trong-thuy-san-nuoi-trong-co-kho-124126.html