Harvesting tra fish in Mekong Delta An Giang province (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh expressed disappointment about the US Department of Agriculture’s recent rule establishing an inspection programme for fish under the Siluriformes order, including Vietnam’s tra and basa fish.
Binh spoke to reporters on November 30 about Vietnam’s position on the rule.
According to Binh, tra and basa fish are among Vietnam’s major currency earners in the US market.
Vietnamese firms do their business in line with market mechanisms, food hygiene and safety regulations when it comes to exporting tra and basa fish, which are widely popular in the US, he said, arguing that the new rule is unnecessary.
Along with Vietnam, US Congress leaders, agencies and organisations also voiced their opposition to the programme. Other ASEAN member states are also concerned it will impact their exports, he added.
Binh expressed concern that the rule will become a non-tariff barrier, seriously affecting Vietnam’s exports and the lives of Vietnamese farmers, as well as the interests of US consumers.
He said that Vietnam will continue working with the US Department of Agriculture and closely follow the implementation of the programme to protect the countries’legitimate interests.-VNA
