VietnamNet says the US FDA will relax its inspections of its shrimp exports

VietNamNet - In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will examine anti-biotic residue in 950 seafood imports. Technical barriers may be relaxed for shrimp.
Chloramphenicol, Fluoroquinolones, Nitrofurans, Oxytetracyline, and Malachite green will be top on the FDA’s list of substances for examination. Last year, FDA inspected 536 samples of seafood imported from 15 countries, including Vietnam, finding seven prohibited substances. All the samples tested negative to Fluoroquinolones, Nitrofuran, and Oxytetracyline.
According to US National Aquaculture Association, FDA will make less examination on imported shrimp in the next consignments. The forecast has sparked high hopes for seafood exporters that shrimp exports will be easier in 2006. However, according to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), this does not mean exporters should neglect product hygiene.
The Ministry of Fisheries has approved the trade promotion campaign for 2006-2010 and the plan on building trade marks for shrimp exported to the US and Japan. The ministry and VASEP also put forward 16 programmes on trade promotion in order to discover potential markets.
Nguyen Thi Hong Minh, Deputy Minister of Fisheries said that Vietnam is determined to establish a system, allowing tracking of product origin. “This will help Vietnam’s seafood to easily overcome barriers to enter the world market,” Ms. Minh said.
In 2006, Vietnam expects to export $2.8bil worth of seafood, $300mil higher than the 2005 plan. The EU, US and Japan will remain key export markets for Vietnam.

Source:
VietnamNet

Source:
Charlotte Business Journal