The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has requested localities and units to remove difficulties in testing and traceability to boost the export of durian and other agricultural products.

On May 6, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued Official Dispatch No. 4423/BNNMT-CCPT to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities; the Departments of Crop Production and Plant Protection; the Department of Quality, Processing, and Market Development; and agricultural testing facilities regarding the resolution of testing difficulties to promote durian and agricultural exports.

Previously, the export of durian and several key agricultural products faced numerous challenges; most notably, the congestion in testing, traceability, and meeting the standards of import markets. This situation has directly affected product consumption, people's income, and business operations.

To promptly rectify this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requested localities to implement synchronized solutions.

First, the Chairmen of provincial and municipal People's Committees must provide decisive leadership to departments and branches for a comprehensive review. Simultaneously, they should proactively work with businesses and cooperatives to support consumption, connect markets, and immediately remove obstacles in production, harvesting, preliminary processing, packaging, and circulation. Furthermore, it is essential to strengthen the management of growing areas and packaging facilities, ensuring full compliance with regulations on growing area codes, traceability, and food safety as required by import markets.

Along with strengthening the management of growing areas and packaging facilities, the Ministry suggested that localities direct testing facilities under their management to enhance capacity, human resources, and equipment to accelerate testing progress. This will ensure that export needs are met promptly, preventing prolonged congestion. Simultaneously, there must be increased inspection, supervision, and strict handling of facilities that cause difficulties, delays, or fail to fully perform their duties as prescribed.

For agricultural testing facilities, the Ministry requested the maximum concentration of resources and flexible working arrangements, including overtime when necessary, to shorten testing times while still ensuring speed, accuracy, and compliance with regulations. Units must strictly fulfill their responsibilities and avoid evasion, delays, or refusing to test without a legitimate reason.

In addition, it is necessary to maintain transparency in testing processes, timelines, and costs; proactively guide enterprises and cooperatives on the standards of each market; and increase the application of digital technology and the interconnection of testing and traceability data.

Regarding specialized agencies, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection is assigned to lead discussions with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). They are to request the swift supplementary recognition of new testing laboratories that have submitted dossiers, as well as the review and evaluation of dossiers for the re-recognition of laboratories suspended after submitting corrective reports. On the other hand, the list of testing laboratories approved or temporarily suspended by China must be publicly announced.

In addition to the above tasks, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection needs to review and warn of growing areas at high risk of Cadmium (Cd) contamination and guide localities in applying appropriate cultivation measures (using fertilizers, water, chemicals, etc.) according to the correct procedures to minimize risks and meet consumer market regulations. Furthermore, the Department continues to review and refine regulations on growing area management, cultivation processes, and phytosanitary procedures for exports, promptly proposing amendments to inadequate regulations.

Parallel to this, negotiations must be strengthened to promote the official export of agricultural products to various markets. A rapid response mechanism should be established to proactively and promptly handle issues arising during the export process, preventing prolonged congestion.

Meanwhile, the Department of Quality, Processing, and Market Development is responsible for guiding and supporting localities in removing obstacles in the procedures for designating testing facilities, and reviewing and perfecting food safety control processes for agriculture, forestry, and fishery products to meet the requirements of importing countries.

Finally, the Ministry emphasized organizational responsibility. Accordingly, the heads of agencies and units are directly responsible to the Minister for the results of implementation and must periodically or sporadically report on the situation, difficulties, and proposed solutions for the Ministry to synthesize and provide direction.

On that basis, the Ministry requested localities and units involved to urgently and seriously implement these measures, focusing on removing bottlenecks and promoting durian and agricultural exports, thereby contributing to stabilizing production and increasing income for the people.

Source: Bao Nong nghiep va Moi truong