DECISION
On enhancing the inspection of aquatic products exported to the US and Canada
THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 43/2003/ND-CP of May 2, 2003, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Fisheries;
Pursuant to the Prime Minister's Directive No. 37/2005/CT-TTg of October 28, 2005, on a number of measures to enhance management of chemicals and antibiotics used in food production and trading;
Pursuant to the US and Canadian markets' requirements for control of aquatic food quality, safety and hygiene;
At the proposal of the director of the Department for Management of Aquatic Food Quality, Safety and Hygiene and Aquatic Animal Health,
DECIDES:
Article 1.- To conduct tests of the following chemicals and antibiotics on, and grant food quality and hygiene certificates to, 100% of goods lots of 03 commodity groups of "basa" (Bocourti) and "tra" (Sutchi) catfish; shrimp; and crab meat exported to the US and Canada:
- For products exported into the US: To test Malachite Green (MG), Leucomalachite Green (LMG) and Fluoroquinolone (Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Flumequine) on "basa" and "tra" catfish; Chloramphenicol (CAP), Nitrolfurans (NTRs), on shrimp products; and Chloramphenicol (CAP), on crab meat;
- For products exported into Canada: To test Chloramphenicol, Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green on "basa" and "tra" catfish products.
Article 2.- To assign the Department for Aquatic Quality, Safety and Hygiene and Aquatic Animal Health to grant food quality and safety certificates for all goods lots subject to inspection as stated in Article 1, if the testing and analysis results of laboratories specified in Article 3 show that such goods lots meet the US and Canadian markets' requirements.
Article 3.- Laboratories accredited as having attained the ISO 17025 or equivalent standards on tests of residues of chemicals and antibiotics specified in Article 1 shall be allowed to conduct tests of samples in service of the grant of food quality and safety certificates to goods lots subject to inspection. Enterprises shall have to send notices to the Department for Aquatic Product Quality, Safety and Hygiene and Aquatic Animal Health on the names of the qualified laboratories to which they intend to send testing samples, together with valid copies of standard conformity certificates of these laboratories.
Article 4.- This Decision takes effect 15 days after its publication in "CONG BAO."
Article 5.- The director of the Office, heads of departments, the Chief Inspector, heads of units under the Ministry, directors of provincial/municipal Fisheries Services and provincial/municipal Agriculture and Rural Development Services managing the fisheries domain, and enterprises processing and exporting aquatic products shall have to implement this Decision.