Russia and Vietnam to simplify controls and switch to vet e-certification in seafood and other foods trade
A working meeting between Konstantin Savenkov, Deputy Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, and Nguyen Nhu Tiep, Head of the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department of the Republic of Vietnam was held on November 19. The representatives of the Russian Embassy in Vietnam also took part in the meeting, according to Rosselkhoznadzor (Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance).
The meeting was held during the visit of the Vietnamese delegation to Russia aimed at familiarization with the National Veterinary Control System taking as an example OOO “Bryansk Meat Company” and the Rosselkhoznadzor subordinate laboratory - FGBI “Bryansk IVL”.
During the visit they will also be able to assess the experimental project Green Corridor in the Big Port of Saint Petersburg, where several Vietnamese companies have been taking part. The project is aimed at transition from total control of imported aquatic biological resources to random control based on risk analysis.
Konstantin Savenkov expressed hope that the visit of the Vietnamese delegation will be fruitful and will contribute to strengthening cooperation between relevant services and countries. The Deputy Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor underlined that historically Russian-Vietnamese relationships have been based on trust and reliability. An incentive for trade development was the Agreement on Free Trade between Vietnam and EEU signed in 2015. Today the countries have every reason and resources for proceeding to the a higher-quality level of bilateral work which will facilitate trade and diversify mutual product supplies.
Konstantin Savenkov specified that lately Russia has moved into a completely new phase of agricultural development. The country exports a great amount of biological resources – about 2 million tonnes a year. Poultry, pig and animal feed production have also enjoyed rapid development. Russia completely provides itself with many types of products and has a good export potential. In the global unstable epidemic situation good results in this field have been achieved due to the implemented regionalization programme and veterinary e-certification of livestock consignments.
The Rosselkhoznadzor informed that Russia is interested in the Vietnamese food market and is working hard in order to increase the number of establishments exporting beef and poultry meat to Vietnam as well as to start export of pork and table eggs.
The Service is also proceeding to increase the volume of fish product import from Vietnam. Particularly, the issue of approval of several Vietnamese companies, producing cod, tilapia and shrimps for export is being under discussion.
Nguyen Nhu Tiep thanked the Rosselkhoznadzor for arranging the visit of the Vietnamese delegation and informed that the country is interested in developing trade relations with Russia. Russian wheat and fertilizers for agricultural use are in great demand in Vietnam. The country is going to increase the amount of animal feed, fish and meat products imported from the Russian Federation. Today the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department is considering approval of 28 Russian manufactures of animal products for export to Vietnam.
Nguyen Nhu Tiep also specified that Vietnam is ready for transition to veterinary e-certification of exported/imported products and invited the Russian specialists to Vietnam to conduct training on MERCURY Information System.
At the end of the meeting the parties agreed to strengthen their relations, efficiently exchange updated information and requested data, have regular meetings, and contribute to mutually beneficial trade and economic relations.