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EU Sets Out to Inspect Vietnamese Agricultural Exports Due to Certain Concerns

EU food safety inspectors set to scrutinize expanding agricultural zones, production sites, and packaging hubs over a ten-day period. The inspection tour includes on-site assessments, as well as meetings with selected local quality assurance companies.

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Experts from the EU embarking on a ten-day tour to scrutinize expanding food production sites,...
Experts from the EU embarking on a ten-day tour to scrutinize expanding food production sites, processing units, and packing stations, seeking to verify adherence to European food safety standards. Aside from on-site inspections, the EU group will engage with certain local quality assurance businesses during their meetings.

EU Sets Out to Inspect Vietnamese Agricultural Exports Due to Certain Concerns

EU to Assess Pesticide Control Measures in Vietnamese Agricultural Exports

HANOI—The European Union (EU) will dispatch an inspection delegation to Vietnam in mid-June to evaluate the country's pesticide control measures in key agricultural export products, such as durian, dragon fruit, and chilli, including bell peppers.

According to the Plant Production and Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the assessment will take place across several localities, including Tiền Giang, Long An, Bình Thuận, and Ho Chi Minh City. During the ten-day mission, EU experts will visit growing areas, processing plants, and packaging facilities to evaluate compliance with European food safety regulations. They will also meet with some local quality control firms.

The Department has urged all establishments involved in the inspection to prepare comprehensive documentation on food safety compliance, production processes, and traceability systems. A summary report on the production status is also required to facilitate the EU team's assessment.

Currently, the inspection rates for agricultural products entering the EU remain high. Bell peppers are checked at a rate of 50 percent, while durian and dragon fruit are each inspected at 20 percent. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, this strict monitoring is crucial, as non-compliance can lead to warnings or bans.

The EU is one of the most demanding markets for Vietnamese exporters, suggesting that businesses should adhere strictly to its regulations. A single problematic shipment can negatively impact the entire industry, as the EU imports around US$350 million worth of fruits and vegetables from Vietnam annually.

It's essential for Vietnamese exporters to comply with the EU's Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for pesticide residues in food products, to avoid such issues. The EU frequently updates these MRLs, requiring constant monitoring by Vietnamese producers and exporters. Additionally, the EU's Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which cover aspects like pesticide use, fertilizers, and environmental conditions during farming, are crucial for compliance with EU regulations. Lastly, proper documentation and labeling are essential, as exporters must adhere to EU standards for labeling and provide detailed documentation of farming practices and pesticide use.

The Vietnam SPS Office plays a significant role in guiding businesses to comply with these measures, which vary across different markets. The office coordinates the handling of warnings issued by the EU and helps businesses implement corrective actions.

Ensuring MRL compliance is particularly important for crops like bell peppers, due to their high water content and susceptibility to pesticide residues. For durian and dragon fruit, while these fruits are less commonly scrutinized for pesticide residues compared to vegetables, compliance with EU regulations is still mandatory to maintain a positive reputation in the demanding EU market.

A high-quality bell peppers farm in Lai Châu Province. - Photo baolaichau.vn

  1. To maintain a positive reputation in the EU market, it is crucial for Vietnamese exporters to comply not only with the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for pesticide residues but also the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which cover aspects like pesticide use, fertilizers, and environmental conditions during farming.
  2. Adhering to EU regulations, particularly for food safety, is essential for exporters dealing with high-demand markets like the EU, as non-compliance can lead to warnings or bans, potentially impacting the entire industry.
  3. In the context of continuously updating MRLs, it is vital for Vietnamese producers and exporters to monitor these changes and ensure constant compliance to meet EU standards.
  4. Proper documentation and labeling are essential for exporters, as they must adhere to EU standards for labeling and provide detailed documentation of farming practices and pesticide use.
  5. The Vietnam SPS Office plays a significant role in guiding businesses to comply with these regulations, helping them implement corrective actions and handle warnings issued by the EU.

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