Production standards must not negatively affect traditional fish sauce.
The Government Office has just issued a document conveying the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam regarding the associations' recommendations on the draft national standard "Code of Practice for Fish Sauce Production" chaired and drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The Government Office has just issued a document conveying the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam regarding the associations' recommendations on the draft national standard "Code of Practice for Fish Sauce Production" chaired and drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
"The regulations and standards set forth must not negatively affect the production and trade of traditional fish sauce," the Deputy Prime Minister requested.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture is assigned to carefully study the opinions of organizations and associations on standards for fish sauce. The Ministry also needs to organize dialogue to create unity and ensure the health and interests of consumers.
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A traditional fish sauce production facility in Phu Quoc. |
Previously, according to traditional fish sauce producers and associations, the fish sauce standards and regulations stated in the draft were not consistent with the actual production of this product. Many contents in the draft were intended to "stifle" traditional fish sauce producers. Specifically, the standards for controlling veterinary drugs and pesticides while the raw material for making fish sauce is marine fish, which cannot contain veterinary drugs.
Representatives of associations and businesses also said that TCVN - the standard for fish sauce and fish sauce production facilities is promoting the development of mixed fish sauce. This draft also creates technical barriers to eliminate the traditional fish sauce production profession, not clarifying the difference between the process and conditions for producing real fish sauce, also known as traditional fish sauce, and industrial mixed fish sauce.
In the petition to the competent authority, businesses suggested that it is necessary to develop separate standards and regulations for each type of traditional fish sauce and industrially mixed fish sauce products, instead of "combining" the regulations as stated in the draft.