Representatives from agencies, associations and businesses and farmers in aquaculture have gathered in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang for a workshop on the application of VietGap standards in the sector’s sustainable development.

During the workshop on November 19, participants discussed advantages and difficulties for the sector, including environment and the application of the Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice (VietGap) standards in intensive shrimp farming, while seeking ways to connect the Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice (VietGap) standards with other clean production international models, such as ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), GlobalGAP, BAP.

President of the Vietnam Fisheries Society Nguyen Viet Thang said the event helped figure out the similarity and correlation of sets of standards to ensure sustainable development for aquaculture with focus on food safety and hygiene.

According to the Department of Aquaculture, the country’s total aquatic products hit more than 6 million tonnes in 2013, a year-on-year increase of over 2 percent, making a substantial contribution to the country’s export.

The sector targets to have 30 percent of aquafarming establishments receiving VietGap certificates by 2015. The figure is expected to rise to 80 percent by 2020.-VNA