July 17, 2017 | 17:16 (GMT+7)
Fisheries sector urged to clear barriers to tra fish
The fisheries sector needs to clear barriers for tra fish in the US, the European Union (EU) and China, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam.
Tam suggested the sector rearrange production to meet US standards as the US remains a major importer. For the EU, it should get ready for the upcoming bilateral free trade agreement and to tackle barriers, including dealing with inaccurate media reports about tra fish.
Regarding the Chinese market, further attention should be paid to product quality management and ensuring fairness for businesses involved in official and cross-border trade.
He also underscored the need to continue marketing products in Japan, Brazil, ASEAN and several other markets.
At home, he proposed developing new products that suit domestic consumers’ taste, ensuring supply of high-quality varieties and making it easier for enterprises to work with scientists and research institutes to churn out quality tra fish for breeding.
Nguyen Ngoc Oai, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Directorate of Fisheries (DOF), said negotiations against the US’s Farm Bill will be a priority between now and the year’s end.
DOF statistics showed that total tra fish exports surpassed USD 500 million in the first half of this year, up 2.7 percent year-on-year.
Total tra fish farming area in the Mekong Delta is 3,100ha with total output of more than 500,000 tons, up 1.3 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively.
Source: VNA