The US is tightening imports of Vietnamese basa and tra fish.

Exports of Vietnamese pangasius to the US market will face new barriers when the Farm Bill of 2014 comes into effect.

Today (December 8th), Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (Vasep), stated that Vietnamese pangasius exports to the US market will face new obstacles when the Farm Bill 2014 comes into effect. Therefore, Vietnamese pangasius (including basa fish) exported to the US will have to comply with very strict requirements and regulations, and will only be allowed to import into the US if it can be proven that the farming practices in Vietnam are similar to those in the US.

Pangasius fish. Image from the Internet.

From March 2016, the Farm Bill takes effect 90 days after its promulgation. Under this Act, control of catfish (Silurifeus monodon), whether domestically farmed or imported, will shift from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, to the Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Therefore, Vietnamese pangasius (including basa) exported to the United States must comply with very strict requirements and regulations, and can only be imported into the US if it can be proven that the farming practices in Vietnam are similar to those in the US. Although previous FDA regulations were already strict, the FSIS's approach is even more stringent in terms of review time, standards for broodstock, antibiotic control, veterinary drug residue, transportation, processing facilities, etc.

From now until March next year, the Vietnamese side must submit a list of companies currently exporting to or wishing to export to the United States (names, projected quantities). Businesses wishing to export should submit a general or shortened list through Vasep for on-site verification of similarity with the Vietnamese side. A set of documents proving compliance with FDA regulations must be submitted to demonstrate eligibility for export during the transition period. This is not yet proof of similarity. The US Department of Agriculture will review the documents and provide feedback to relevant parties.

According to Vasep, it is not yet possible to predict the next developments because all the specific regulations and requirements of FSIS are not yet known, but it can be said that some of FSIS regulations contradict some regulations of the WTO, of which both the United States and Vietnam are members. Vietnam could file a lawsuit regarding this matter.

According to VOV.VN