Initiative aims to reform tra fish industry
Initiative aims to reform tra fish industry
Viet Nam's tra fish industry aims to develop a sustainable supply chain by 2020, experts said at a conference yesterday.
Toward that end, the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the Viet Nam Cleaner Production Centre launched the US$3.2 million project on Establishing a Sustainable Pangasius Supply Chain.
Pham Anh Tuan. deputy director general of VASEP, said the project would help the industry meet international quality standards. Over 48 months, Viet Nam will establish a model farm and training centre and start developing a legal framework to clarify the origin of tra fish products.
Viet Nam currently provides over 90 per cent of the world supply of tra fish. Hundreds of thousands of farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta earn a living from tra fish farming and processing for export. Annually, exports bring in $1.8 billion.
However, the industry faces several quality problems, such as antibiotic residue, which negatively affect the image of Vietnamese products around the world.
The project aims to help at least 70 per cent of processors and 30 per cent of animal feed producers to participate in a cleaner production programme.
The goal is for at least 50 per cent of target businesses to provide tra fish that meet the standards of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, which are highly regarded in international markets.
The project will be implemented by the Viet Nam Cleaner Production Centre, VASEP, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Viet Nam and WWF-Austria.
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