Efforts to soon remove the IUU "Yellow Card" for exported seafood

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 14th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU Steering Committee). (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Also attending was Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Head of the Steering Committee. The meeting was held directly at the Government Headquarters, online with 21 coastal provinces and cities.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that Vietnam is a maritime country with abundant aquatic resources; its people have a tradition of fishing and exploiting seafood. It is important that seafood exploitation must comply with international regulations and Vietnamese law.

The Secretariat has issued a Directive, the Government and the National Steering Committee have organized 13 meetings, 4 inspection teams in localities, advised on the issuance of 1 directive of the Secretariat, 2 directives and 8 dispatches of the Prime Minister to direct ministries, branches and coastal localities to carry out the work of combating IUU fishing and recommended the "Yellow Card" warning of the European Commission (EC).

Delegates attending the meeting. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Prime Minister pointed out that after 8 years, despite many efforts, there are still cases of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the European Commission (EC) has not yet removed the IUU "Yellow Card" warning. These violations have affected seafood exports, the economy, and the country's reputation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Emphasizing the goal of ending illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing so that the EU can remove the IUU "Yellow Card" warning, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted that there is very little time left from now until the end of the year. This October, the EC inspection team will come to inspect IUU in Vietnam.

In particular, in the context of the Vietnamese seafood market being at risk of shrinking and facing difficulties due to changes in the world situation, the EC's withdrawal of the IUU yellow card will help Vietnamese seafood regain and expand its market, helping people increase their income.

Leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment report at the meeting (Photo: Tran Hai).

The Prime Minister hopes that this is the last meeting of the Steering Committee, the situation of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing will end; at the same time, he asked the delegates to specifically assess the situation, especially clearly reviewing the role and responsibility in leadership, direction, management and measures of Party committees and authorities at all levels in removing the IUU yellow card; and people's awareness.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the meeting. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Prime Minister also pointed out the causes and proposed drastic solutions, in the spirit of "what is said must be done, what is committed must be implemented effectively", strictly implementing Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries sector (Directive 32).

HA THANH GIANG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/no-luc-som-go-bo-the-vang-iuu-doi-voi-hai-san-xuat-khau-post909965.html