In an effort to foster large-scale commercial agriculture, underpinned by cutting-edge, safe technology and integrated with consumer markets, the competent authorities of Binh Thuan province have been prioritizing quality management to ensure food safety in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
The headquarters of Binh Thuan Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Quality Authority
Ms. Ngo Minh Uyen Thao, Director of the Binh Thuan Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Quality Authority, said that the authority has been concentrating on management strategies to augment the quality and safety of agricultural, forest, and aquatic products within the province.
To elevate the community’s awareness of the production and consumption of safe foods, the authority has swiftly and comprehensively understood documents, regulations, and policies on food safety assurance. They have enhanced the quality of agricultural, forest, and aquatic products in the agricultural sector, enabling all civil servants and workers to understand and adhere to regulations. Furthermore, they have expedited the dissemination of legal knowledge on food quality and safety to relevant producers, traders, and consumers. In addition to sanctioned training plans, the agency has also collaborated with farmers’ unions and women’s unions to encourage the production and trading of quality and safe agricultural products for public health and sustainable development.
Moreover, the authority has effectively evaluated and certified food producers, intensified the inspection and handling of producers exhibiting signs of food unsafety, and those using prohibited additives and substances of unknown origin. They have initiated food safety monitoring programs for post-harvested agricultural and aquatic products, promptly addressed and applied corrective measures to disqualified facilities, and fully executed the Residue Control Program in farmed aquatic products, including the bivalve mollusk safety control program.
Simultaneously, the agency has proactively assisted producers in implementing advanced quality management systems, expanded safe agricultural and aquatic food supply chains, amplified the promotion and introduction of agricultural and aquatic products at domestic and international fairs and forums, and organized trade connection conferences/forums to stimulate the consumption of safe products, key products of Binh Thuan province, and advantageous products of each locality.
In 2023, the Binh Thuan Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Quality Authority appraised 317 facilities, equal to 158.5% of its full-year plan, with all certified to meet food safety conditions, classified (A and B categories). The agency inspected 95 facilities (25 fishery facilities, 28 vegetable agricultural facilities and 42 animal agricultural facilities) and fined 26 facilities for VND311.25 million. It implemented the Residue Control Program in aquaculture and took 34 samples (24 shrimp samples and 10 water samples), with 100% of samples qualified. It also carried out the bivalve mollusk safety control program and took 15 samples (nine clam samples and six scallop samples) tested for cadmium content, without any samples certified to meet EU cadmium regulations. The authority adopted the post-harvest quality monitoring program and took 272 samples of agricultural and aquatic products to check food safety, with seven disqualified samples (accounting for 2.57%).
In addition, the agency supported 19 facilities (126.67% of the yearly plan), of which 11 facilities became familiar with the Quality Management Program and eight facilities were certified the HACCP advanced quality management program; supported building three chains (150% of the plan): (1) Safe fish paste supply chain, (2) Safe agricultural product supply chain, and (3) Pilot dried seafood production and consumption combination model along the value chain in La Gi town, with a controlled safe product output: 250 tons of aquatic products and 50,000 liters of fermented fruit juice.
Specially, the authority effectively performed administrative reforms and sped up information technology application to operations. At present, among seven administrative procedures within its jurisdiction, four are partial online public services, three are full online public services, and all seven are delivered through public postal services. In 2023, the agency received 249 administrative dossiers, with 245 dossiers resolved in time and four dossiers being resolved. No records were late.
In furtherance of the new countryside development program, the Binh Thuan Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Quality Authority has provided guidance to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. This guidance pertains to the certification of Criterion 17.1 for the following newly rural communes: Phan Hoa, Phan Hiep, Hoa Thang, Song Luy, Binh An, Phan Thanh, Hong Phong, Phan Ri Thanh, Binh Tan, Hong Thai, and Hai Ninh, all located in Bac Binh district; Da Mi commune in Ham Thuan Bac district; and Phu Lac commune in Tuy Phong district. The authority has also advised on Criteria 18.4, 18.5, and 18.6 for the following advanced new rural communes: Dong Ha, Me Pu, and Tra Tan, all located in Duc Linh district. The agency is currently collaborating with the Department of Health to evaluate Criterion 17.10 for Tan Lap commune and Criteria 18.4 and 18.5 for Ham Cuong, Duc Hanh, and Tan Ha communes. The authority is actively encouraging the adoption of Criterion 17.10 in Mang To commune (Tanh Linh district) and the adoption of Criteria 18.4, 18.5, and 18.6 in two communes: Ham Liem (Ham Thuan Bac district) and Duc Hanh (Duc Linh district). The authority is also advocating for the adoption of Criterion 18.6 in Duc Hanh commune (Duc Linh district).
Promoting its achievements, in the coming time, the authority will continue to integrate professional operations with information and communication activities to disseminate food safety regulations in many ways and forms; build plans to inspect and control the quality of agricultural and aquatic products; appraise food safety conditions in agricultural and aquatic facilities; develop and guide the application of quality management programs according to HACCP and VietGAP standards; and build safe agricultural and fishery production and business chains.
The authority will continue to foster and train civil servants and public employees; reform administrative procedures; apply information technology to operations; join forces to speed up new rural construction; and support communes and wards to realize its commitments.
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
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