Thus, Japan is an important market for Vietnam shrimp. However, Japanese government is regulating a too low maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 0.01 ppm on shrimp imported from Vietnam which not only affects to shrimp exports to the market but also makes Vietnam seafood exporters confused, Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, VASEP General Secretary said at a meeting with Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the early of September.
According to General Department of Vietnam Customs, in August 2012, shrimp exports to Japan sank 16.6 percent compared to the same period of 2011. If “Ethoxyquin problem” has been solved timely, shrimp exports to the market in the next two months will continue to fall sharply.
At the meeting, VASEP recommended two measures for the problem.
1. Recommending shrimp farmers to use shrimp feed containing Ethoxyquin MRL of 0.5 ppm (500 ppb)
VASEP proposed Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to issue a guiding document for recommending farmers to use shrimp feed containing Ethoxyquin content of 0.5 ppm to prevent Ethoxyquin residues in raw shrimp.
2. Strengthening negotiations between two governments on Ethoxyquin residue.
Using low Ethoxyquin content in shrimp feed and applying strict control in shrimp production, Vietnam will be more confident to request Japan to increase Ethoxyquin residue on Vietnam shrimp. VASEP proposed that government should continue to assign a working group to Japan for negotiating about Ethoxyquin MRL.
VIETNAMESE SHRIMPS
