VietNamNet Bridge – Two companies in Bac Ninh Province plan to sue local authorities for having licensed their cockroach raising farms if they are not compensated for the recent destruction of their businesses.  

Chinese cockroaches feared to damage the environment

Cockroaches destroyed.

Public concern has recently been raised over the case in which two household businesses in Luong Tai District were forced to destroy all of their gián đất, a species of wingless cockroaches, as well as their breeding facilities worth billions of VND.

The official reason for their destruction was that, under the current regulations, gián đất are not named on the list of animals allowed for breeding in Vietnam.

However, both enterprises were licensed by the provincial Department of Planning and Investment to raise the insects.  

In August last year the department granted licenses to Dai Thien Trading and Production JSC, headed by Nguyen Dinh Nguyen, to raise the insects. Four months later, Nguyen sought another license for his another company, Hoang Hiep Trading and Engineering Limited, which was headquartered in the same commune.

Nguyen said that he had an acquaintance who worked in China and suggested raising cockroaches for profit. After studying the process, he imported the insects for breeding from China and hired Chinese experts to help him in the process.

However, on March 18, the department issued an official document requiring the two companies to cease operations at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

They may have their business licenses revoked if they fail to comply with these requirements within 10 days.

Cockroach breeding facilities in Quang Phu Commune.       Breed imported from China.      Gián đất breeding was expected to bring about large profits.

“We decided to raise cockroaches because of a lack of information about current regulations. However, it’s unacceptable that the provincial Department of Planning and Investment licensed us without being aware that this was illegal,” Nguyen commented.

Pham Van Dan, Chairman of the communal People’s Committee said that by the end of March 20, all cockroaches had been destroyed and the breeding facilities were sterilised along with the surrounding areas.

According to Nguyen, he pumped nearly VND1 billion (USD47,337) into the businesses. He vowed to sue the provincial Department of Planning and Investment if they would not compensate him.

“We made a mistake in licensing these businesses due to the lack of knowledge,” said Ngo Tan Phuong, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment.

Meanwhile, Pham Khac Nam, head of the department’s office for business registration denied responsibility, saying, "It’s unfair to blame us for such a case. It is normal in business registration."

DTriNews/LD/DanViet