Increase the rate of agricultural production and trading establishments that meet food safety requirements

2017 was chosen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as the peak year for food safety. Management and the status of ensuring food safety for agricultural products have been gradually improved in all product groups. The basic legal policy system has been completed, contributing to improving the effectiveness of food safety management and creating conditions for people and businesses to participate in safe agricultural production; the state management apparatus for food safety continues to be improved.

Propaganda work was innovated in the direction of directly approaching the target; specialized inspection work was effective; agricultural product processing developed strongly to meet the requirements of demanding markets, the total export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products increased to 36.1 USD.

The inspection team of the provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection inspected a pesticide business establishment in Dien Chau. Photo: Phu Huong

In Nghe An, with the efforts of the entire system, the inspection, assessment and classification of establishments producing and trading agricultural materials, agricultural, forestry and fishery food safety are carried out regularly and continuously. Through the dissemination and education of legal policies, organizations, individuals producing and trading agricultural materials, agricultural, forestry and fishery products and people have had many positive changes, voluntarily complying with the provisions of the law on food safety. Violations have been promptly detected and handled, limiting the circulation of unsafe products on the market, forcing the destruction of many animal products that do not ensure food safety and hygiene.

Safe vegetable growing model in greenhouse in Dien Phong commune, Dien Chau district. Photo: Phu Huong

In particular, in 2017, units under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have developed 103 safe production models, thereby creating clean products for the market.

However, there are still many problems. In the practical implementation of some documents, there are many difficulties and obstacles; the final handling of some problems such as the abuse of pesticides, veterinary drugs, chemicals, etc. is still slow, not meeting the requirements of ensuring food safety; especially the rate of handling violations is low, discipline and discipline are not strict...

Panorama of the conference at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Phu Huong

In 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development continued to direct the completion of the legal system, strengthen the enforcement capacity of the state management agency system, focus on directing the implementation of drastic measures to ensure food safety for fresh production groups, production and business subjects, slaughter, focusing on the use of pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics... in production.

The goal set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is that by the end of 2018, the rate of monitored samples violating regulations on pesticide residues in vegetables, tubers, fruits, chemical residues, antibiotics in meat and seafood products and microbial contamination in meat and seafood products will decrease by 10% compared to 2017. The rate of agricultural production and business establishments inspected to meet food safety requirements classified as A and B will increase by 10% compared to 2017.