The Netherlands shared its experiences in food safety management with Vietnam during a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on November 26.

It discussed the European country’s knowledge of running food safety managerial agencies, measures to carry out this model in Vietnam, and good practice regulations in the food supply chain.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said that Vietnam owns favourable conditions for agriculture production and pays attention to improving farm produce quality and competitiveness.

However, it mainly exports raw produce while shortcomings still exist in food quality and hygiene, thus reducing the value of its products. Therefore, Holland ’s experiences will help Vietnam ’s agriculture develop and meet international standards, he added.

Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Joop Scheffers said to solve this problem, producers are required to ensure the quality of materials inputs, and authorities should facilitate the participation of producers and exporters in the supply chain.

The Netherlands is a leading country in agriculture, he said, adding that its experience sharing will better Vietnamese businesses’ understanding of the importance of food safety, which is improved by strictly following all regulations of the supply chain.

At the workshop, the Deputy Minister and the Dutch Ambassador signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the production and value creation for Vietnam ’s animal husbandry.

The function was organised by the Dutch Embassy and the Food, Agri and Aqua Business Sector Committee under the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.-VNA