VietNamNet Bridge – The international community said it would continue assisting Viet Nam to improve the quality of its agricultural products as the country struggled to find markets and abide by international quality requirements.

Farmers grow cabbage in Tien Giang Province. Fragmented farming in Viet Nam causes more challenges for managers to find ways to ensure food safety. (Photo: VNS)
The commitment was made yesterday, Aug 23, at a forum in Ha Noi organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to discuss food safety and other quality issues.

Nguyen The Phiet, head of the ministry's International Co-operation Department, said the Vietnamese agricultural sector continued to play a critical role in ensuring national food security.

Since July 1, Viet Nam had implemented the Law on Food Safety, which was expected to help in maintaining social security and enforcing environmental protection.

A month earlier the Government had approved the national project to increase the management quality of agricultural and fishery products.

At the forum, participants pointed out the difficulties in applying international requirements for Viet Nam's agricultural products. These had to do with the domestic agricultural sector being so fragmented, no effective supply chain and a limited market for products.

Minister Cao Duc Phat stressed the industry would focus on managing food safety, detection and risk management.

Phat also ordered the animal husbandry department to check on the use of growth stimulants.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News