Vietnam expects Ireland's voice to EU countries to soon remove IUU 'yellow card'

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien anticipated that Ms. Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, as the new head of the Ireland Embassy in Vietnam, would serve as a bridge to enhance bilateral cooperation in general, and agriculture and rural development in particular, between the two nations. As a result, development would match the capacity of both parties, particularly in agricultural commerce.

The Deputy Minister added that Ireland was a significant partner of Vietnam, particularly under the framework of the upcoming EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). MARD hopes to strengthen its partnership with Ireland in agriculture, animal production, digital transformation, and climate change.

There are now 480 Vietnamese firms eligible for seafood exportation to the EU, including Ireland. Seafood shipments into Ireland have been hampered as a result of the EU's yellow card imposed on Vietnam's seafood exploitation and fishing as of October 23, 2017.

As a result, the Deputy Minister expects the Irish Ambassador to Vietnam to urge EU member countries to reconsider lifting the yellow card placed on Vietnamese exploited seafood products as soon as possible.

Furthermore, the two nations would collaborate on a range of activities linked to the preservation and sustainable management of marine creature resources and seafood products that have an impact on commerce between the two countries; origin traceability of exploited seafood products; and IUU combat.

Technical cooperation, experience sharing, technological transfer on promoting industrial-scale aquaculture development, ecological aquaculture and technical cooperation, technological transfer for effective energy use, reduction of greenhouse gases on seafood exploitation and aquaculture should be strengthened on both sides.

MARD Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien offered to Ms. Deirdre Ní Fhallú in that she direct and serve as a bridge to helo competent parties of the two countries to exchange quickly and effectively on products of strength. The two countries' Departments of Animal Health would expand information exchange on disease prevention and control measures for cattle and poultry, including disease dianogsis and animal testing. Vietnam and Ireland intend to expand their collaboration in vaccine research to combat disease and epidemics in cattle and poultry.

Concerning beef exportation from Ireland to Vietnam, the Deputy Minister stated that the specialized agency of Vietnam, the Department of Animal Health, had completed the dossier assessment, and that MARD would collaborate with the Irish side to conduct necessary procedures in accordance with regulation, and that an inspection delegation would be dispatched to the latter soon. Currently, Vietnam allows the importation of Irish pork and pork products.

During the reception, the Deputy Minister emphasized food security, proposing Ireland's collaboration with Vietnam in food system transformation towards green, low-emission, and sustainable approaches; appropriate resource use while preserving biodiversity. He also emphasized the creation of a green economy, reform, and "natural adaptation" in addition to other areas such as promoting private sector engagement, green agriculture development, and human force training, among others.

Ambassador Deirdre Ní Fhallúin of Ireland stated that the identified difficulties, such as climate change and food security, are likewise top priorities for Ireland and the Irish Embassy in Vietnam.

The Irish Ambassador in Vietnam has endorsed the Irish Strategy for the next five years. Agriculture and food are major interests as well. The Irish government thinks that this will be a mutually beneficial area of collaboration. Ireland intends to enhance trade operations between the two countries in the future.

Concerning IUU, the Irish side recognized Vietnam's strong political commitment to this subject. The Irish Ambassador stated that she would continue to work on this problem with colleagues in the EU bloc. Ambassador Deirdre Ní Fhallúin also stated that Ireland hopes Vietnam can expedite the inspection process so that Irish beef products can be exported to Vietnam soon.

On April, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien and Mr. Martin Heydon, Secretary of State, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland signed the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine of Ireland and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam".

The MoU aims to encourage, support, and boost cooperation in the following areas:

1. Cooperation in exchanging genetic resources of plants and animals in agriculture and fisheries.

2. Cooperation on technology for preserving and processing agricultural and aquatic products.

3. Cooperation on food and food quality management.

4. Investment promotion and trade promotion between enterprises of the two countries in agriculture and fisheries.

5. Promote research and training programs and exchange experts and students in related fields of agriculture.

6. Organize seminars, symposiums, and exchange of information on agriculture and rural development in each country.

7. To promote cooperation between regions and regions of the two countries in agriculture and rural development.

8. Other fields of cooperation in agriculture that the participating parties agree on.