The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) worried that many local seafood firms have not yet been ready for EU’s new regulation, IUU, which will take effect from Jan 1, 2010.
Under the IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) law, all seafood export consignments to the EU must clearly show the origin of the products, including the sea area where the fish are caught and the names of the fishing boats, or they will be refused entry.
Currently processing and export companies in Vietnam are collecting fish from small merchants at fishing ports. They do not purchase directly from fishermen, therefore, it is very difficult for them to declare the origin of the fish.
Meanwhile, small merchants collect fish from tens or even hundreds fishing boats, making it impossible to keep records on all the names of the ships. Some offshore ships even sell fish right on the sea to service ships.
“Vietnam’s fishing industry remains very small and the State has not set up any strict regulations,” VASEP said, cautioning that it will not be easy to follow the EU’s IUU.
Many businesses noted that they firstly heard about the new regulation two years ago, but they still cannot implement its requirements. Export companies clearly record where they purchase materials, but the problem is that they must get certification from local authorities.
The businesses predicted that they will face many difficulties in IUU application, because up to 60%-70% of exporters to the EU are using materials caught in the wild.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is planning to send a delegation to work directly with the EU and make a proposal to extend the deadline for IUU implementation to the end of June 2010.
Currently, 330 Vietnamese companies are eligible to export seafood to EU. (Trade & Induustry)
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