Food safety – a problem Vietnam must tackle

Speaking at the opening, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam stressed that food safety has always been a primary concern of the government and citizens of the country.

However in the context of integration, food safety is even a more pressing issue today than it has been in the past Tam said, particularly as it relates to standards for imports of food and agriculture products from other nations.

It is imperative that the government have clear and concise health and safety regulations in place to reduce disputes between foreign and domestic businesses conducting importing and exporting activities.

Nguyen Nhu Tiep, head of the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department in turn said that to best insure consumers are supplied with food that is safe to eat and resolve trade issues; the department is devising health and safety regulations in line with those promulgated by the World Trade Organization.

However, Tiep said that there remain obstacles to implementing the regulations in compliance with that guidance due to limited staff capabilities, lack of funding and lack of co-ordination among MARD, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Lucia Frick, a consultant from the Canada Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada echoed Tiep’s sentiments underscoring the need to strengthen co-ordination among the three ministries and to improve staff performance and capabilities.

Frick was also adamant on the need for strict punishments for those who violate food safety laws in Vietnam.