(PLVN) - In response to concerns that Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BNNPTNT will cause difficulties for meat imports from other countries, a representative of the Department of Animal Health affirmed that the implementation of this Circular will not cause difficulties for import enterprises nor will it affect the quantity of animal products exported from other countries to Vietnam.
This morning, in Hanoi, a working session took place between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Agricultural Counselors of 11 countries. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien chaired the workshop.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien wished to listen to the discussion and response on whether Circular 04/2024 of the Ministry of Agriculture is causing difficulties for imports.
Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BNNPTNT on quarantine of terrestrial animals and animal products issued by the Ministry of Agriculture took effect from May 16, 2024. However, as of September 25, 2024, Vietnam detected 55 batches positive for Salmonella out of a total of 6,679 batches tested for Salmonella, accounting for nearly 1%.
 |
| Conference overview. |
According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, in the first 9 months, our country spent about 1.24 billion USD to import meat and animal by-products for food. Notably, the inspection process discovered nearly 1,320 tons of goods contaminated with Salmonella before being imported into Vietnam.
Thus, if Salmonella testing is not performed, a large amount of animal meat contaminated with Salmonella will be imported into Vietnam, posing a very high risk of causing epidemics, food insecurity, and affecting the health of Vietnamese consumers.
Import quarantine for negative batches is carried out within 1-3 days; only about 1% of positive batches of animal products need to be isolated and cultured for confirmation, which takes 5-6 working days in accordance with current legal regulations.
Regarding Circular 04, the Department of Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held meetings with the Agricultural Counselors and officials of the Embassies of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada. These countries all confirmed that there were no major problems.
However, some Agricultural Counselors from the United States, Australia, Brazil, Singapore, France, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Denmark and the Netherlands... expressed concern about the issuance of Circular No. 04 causing difficulties in meat imports from other countries and requested to discuss and clarify regulations on quarantine of animals and terrestrial animal products.
In response to this request, the Vietnam SPS Office held a meeting with the US representative at the WTO headquarters on June 27, 2024. The meeting also had the online participation of the Director of the Department of Animal Health and the Department of International Cooperation to answer questions from the US side.
The Department of Animal Health said that the Circular was issued in accordance with international regulations and did not cause difficulties for importing enterprises. From the time the Circular took effect on May 16, 2024, to June 16, 2024, after 1 month of implementation, countries exported 59,461 tons of meat and meat products to Vietnam, this figure is nearly equal to the amount of meat imported in the same period in 2023 (60,516 tons) and compared to April 2024 (60,525 tons).
The Department of Animal Health affirmed that the application of Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BNNPTNT does not affect the quantity of animal products imported into Vietnam from exporting countries.
In response to the opinions of agricultural counselors from more than 10 countries and delegates attending the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, listened to and responded to proposals from representatives of the countries to promote agricultural trade and remove obstacles in import and export activities of the agricultural sector.
Deputy Minister Tien said that the application of quarantine measures, quality control and compliance with international standards as at present will be the key factor to ensure food safety and consumer health. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for Vietnam to continue to promote domestic production, compete with imported products, and develop the livestock industry sustainably in the coming time. Agriculture realizes the potential and opportunities for green and sustainable development cooperation in the coming time with countries around the world.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/thong-tu-so-04-khong-gay-kho-cho-viec-nhap-khau-post529311.html
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs Government Conference with localities on economic growth](https://vstatic.vietnam.vn/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/2/21/f34583484f2643a2a2b72168a0d64baa)
Comment (0)