Rectification of the issuance of Certificates of local exploited aquatic product in Vietnam

Rectification of the issuance of Certificates of local exploited aquatic product​ (Image from the internet)

On December 5, 2024, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam issued Official Telegram 127/CD-TTg regarding the rectification of the process of granting confirmation documents for harvested aquatic materials and aquatic certification at the local level.

Rectification of the issuance of Certificates of local exploited aquatic product​

According to reports from several enterprises, there have been instances of aquatic port management units and local aquatic management agencies not adhering to current regulations or rigidly applying regulations, thereby causing difficulties in the issuance of SC papers and CC certificates for seafood export purposes.

To promptly rectify this situation, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam requires the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairmen of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally-run cities, and the associations, enterprises involved in harvesting, processing, and exporting seafood to immediately carry out the following tasks and solutions:

(1) Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development:

- Enhance guidance, training, and workshops to enable localities to implement the legal regulations correctly in the issuance of SC papers and CC certificates for harvested aquatic products.

- Regularly guide and inspect, promptly rectify any issuance of SC papers and CC certificates for harvested aquatic products that do not comply with current legal regulations or misinterpret the law, requiring enterprises to provide documents and materials not mandated in Circular 21/2018/TT-BNNPTNT and Circular 01/2022/TT-BNNPTNT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, creating hurdles in the process of issuing SC papers and CC certificates for seafood export.

- Review all regulations related to the organization and issuance of SC papers and CC certificates; amend unsuitable regulations that hinder, obstruct the production, business in the seafood harvesting, processing, and exporting sector; promptly report to the competent authority to amend and supplement the contents beyond authority.

(2) Chairmen of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally-run cities:

- Organize strict implementation of the issuance of certification papers of the origin of harvested aquatic products (SC papers) and certificates of the origin of harvested aquatic products (CC certificates) with the following specific content:

+ Direct relevant agencies to issue SC papers and CC certificates in accordance with the law and guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; do not require documents and procedures not specified by law.

+ Within their authority, perform review, adjust, and supplement the regulations to facilitate fishermen and enterprises in maintaining business production, ensuring social security, and developing the local socio-economic issues.

+ Regularly organize inspection and supervision; strictly handle organizations and individuals who violate, intentionally cause difficulties, and inconvenience for the people and businesses.

+ Propagate and disseminate legal regulations on combating IUU to ensure that fishermen fully understand and comply.

- Continue to conclusively address the issue of "3 no" fishing boats as per the requirements and deadlines stated in Official Telegram 111/CD-TTg dated November 4, 2024, of the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam concerning the focus on urgent and crucial tasks and solutions against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, preparing to receive and work with the Fifth Inspection Team of the European Commission; enhance control over the transshipment of harvested aquatic products at sea, strictly handle violations as per regulations.

(3) Associations and enterprises in seafood processing and exporting:

- Fully comply with the regulations on the issuance of SC papers and CC certificates; ensure the establishment and storage of traceability records for harvested aquatic products in accordance with legal regulations.

- Cooperate with local authorities to support and inform fishermen to ensure full compliance with regulations against illegal fishing.

- Cooperate with local authorities to support and inform fishermen to ensure full compliance with regulations against illegal fishing.

Official Telegram 127/CD-TTg issued on December 5, 2024.

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