Ministry of Agriculture and Environment launches peak campaign to fight against smuggling and counterfeit goods - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

Controlling counterfeit and poor quality goods promotes more stable agricultural production - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

This peak period takes place from May 15, 2025 to June 15, 2025, focusing on key localities with complicated situations, aiming to protect food safety and promote sustainable development of the agricultural sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has determined the scope of inspection to focus on products under state management, with a focus on: food safety, fake, toxic food, food of unknown origin; forestry and aquatic products; production and trade of fake plant varieties, livestock, fertilizers, and pesticides; use of growth stimulants in fruits; and abuse of chemicals to increase weight, prevent dehydration after thawing, causing volume fraud, and reducing product quality. These are pressing issues that directly affect public health, the environment, and the reputation of Vietnam's agricultural exports.

Minister Do Duc Duy directed the working delegation to comply with the spirit of Directive No. 13/CT-TTg dated May 17, 2025 and Official Dispatch No. 65/QD-TTg dated May 15, 2025 of the Prime Minister. The Minister requested to conduct inspections with the right focus and key points, avoiding formalities; clearly assign tasks, closely coordinate between units under the Ministry, localities, and functional agencies to ensure smooth information, promptly handle arising situations. In particular, the Minister emphasized strict administrative discipline, urging progress, clearly defining the responsibilities of leaders, and removing obstacles in the implementation process. At the same time, propaganda and legaleducation work is promoted to raise the awareness of organizations, individuals in production, business, and consumers in preventing violations.

The peak working group consists of 9 members, led by Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam as Head of the Group and Director of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development Ngo Hong Phong as Deputy Head. The units under the Ministry are assigned specific tasks:

Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development: Established 2 working groups led by the Ministry's leaders to work with Kien Giang and Lao Cai provinces. The task focuses on checking food safety, strictly handling fake, toxic, and unknown origin foods, and the abuse of chemicals to increase weight and prevent dehydration in seafood after thawing.

Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine: Inspecting the import, temporary import and re-export of meat, livestock and poultry by-products, and animal feed; supervising the illegal trade and transportation of livestock and poultry at border gates; and handling fake livestock breeds, veterinary drugs, animal feed, and the abuse of chemicals in animal products.

Department of Forestry and Forest Protection: Focus on controlling illegal trade and transportation of forest products and endangered, precious and rare wildlife, while implementing traceability of forest products.

Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance: Inspecting breeds, aquatic feed, and environmental treatment substances for aquaculture; handling chemicals and banned antibiotics in production, trading, and aquaculture; and monitoring violations of traceability, combating IUU fishing (illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing).

Legal Department: Review, propose amendments and supplements to legal regulations on smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, infringement of intellectual property rights, and address incomplete, outdated, overlapping points and feedback from implementing units.

This peak period takes place in the context of the agricultural sector facing many challenges from smuggling and counterfeit goods, especially unsafe food and poor quality products affecting exports. With agricultural product turnover reaching 60 billion USD by 2024, protecting Vietnamese brands is a top priority. The results of the inspection not only help handle violations but also build a strong legal basis, raise public awareness, and promote sustainable supply chains. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is committed to working with localities to achieve the export target of 70 billion USD by 2025, while protecting the environment and people's health.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/bo-nong-nghiep-va-moi-truong-trien-khai-dot-cao-diem-dau-tranh-chong-buon-lau-va-hang-gia-5047801.html