In the coming time, Vietnam still has to increase propaganda to fishermen so that they understand that they must comply with the principles and regulations set by the market.
The European Commission (EC) Inspection Delegation will visit Vietnam for the 5th inspection in October 2024.
In order for this inspection by the EC Inspection Delegation to achieve the best results and soon remove the "yellow card" warning on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Vietnam News Agency reporters had an interview with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien about the tasks that need to be carried out immediately.
- Deputy Minister, how has Vietnam improved so far compared to the EC's assessment in previous inspections?
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: Compared to the previous four assessments, so far, Vietnam has achieved relatively positive results.
Regarding the legal framework, Vietnam has had the 2017 Fisheries Law, and decrees and circulars have been fully issued. In particular, recently, the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have revised and supplemented 2 decrees and circulars to comprehensively and thoroughly manage the fleet. In addition, seafood export dossiers to the EU have basically met the requirements for domestically exploited and imported products. Electronic traceability has been implemented at over 70 fishing ports.
The handling of law violations has been carried out more strictly by the relevant agencies and localities. Currently, 11 criminal cases have been tried and prosecuted, creating strictness and deterrence for those who deliberately violate the law and send people to exploit in foreign waters.
Recently, the Party and the State have strengthened their direction on this issue. After Document No. 81-CV/TW dated March 20, 2020 on strengthening leadership and direction to effectively implement the work of preventing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries sector, followed by Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP dated April 22, 2024 of the Government on promulgating the Action Program and Plan of the Government to implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW and Resolution 04/2024/NQ-HDTP of the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court on Guiding the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products were issued.
From October 23, 2017 to now, there have been 13 conferences directly chaired by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister along with 11 documents, telegrams, and directives, showing that over the past 7 years, the directions of the Party, Government, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister - Head of the National Steering Committee on IUU have been very drastic. Therefore, implementation is still the key factor to remove the IUU "yellow card".
However, implementing the EC's recommendations, Vietnam's fisheries sector still has certain shortcomings. That is, the management and supervision of the fleet; handling of administrative violations have not achieved the desired results.
- In this final stage, how should local participation be addressed, Deputy Minister?
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: Through four inspections by the EC, they all confirmed that at the central level, legal documents have been developed with sufficient conditions to remove the "yellow card." However, the issue of implementation and the attention of local Party committees and leaders is not yet resolute.
Document No. 81-CV/TW and Directive No. 32-CT/TW both analyze the achieved and unachieved contents, the causes and solutions. Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP of the Prime Minister also clearly states the tasks to be performed. Notably, recently, the Prime Minister met with the Secretaries and Chairmen of the People's Committees of 28 coastal provinces and cities with very strong instructions and clearly stated the responsibilities of the Secretaries and Chairmen of the provinces and cities, so the participation of localities from now until the EC's 5th inspection is of great significance, deciding the removal of the "yellow card."
- What plans does the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development continue to have to work with localities to prevent and combat IUU fishing?
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has organized many working groups, even at fishing ports, the working group has inspected for the fifth time. Each time they inspect, looking through each exploitation diary, the group points out areas that have not been done well, however, attention and implementation are still limited.
After Directive No. 32-CT/TW, each time the working delegation worked, there was the participation of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and after the work, there was a document sent to the Standing Committee, Secretary, and Chairman of the province for implementation.
When announcing Resolution 04/2024/NQ-HDTP, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court (now Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of the Government) Nguyen Hoa Binh affirmed that Resolution 04/2024/NQ-HDTP is not aimed at fishermen but at those who do not comply with the law and deliberately lure fishermen to illegally exploit foreign waters.
In the coming time, communication information combined with education and handling of administrative violations is an important solution in implementing Directive 32-CT/TW. In addition to directing state management agencies and law enforcement agencies, Vietnam must still strengthen propaganda to fishermen so that fishermen understand that Vietnam has integrated into the international economy, Vietnamese products sold to nearly 180 countries and territories must comply with the principles and regulations set by the market. Not only the EU market, but Japan and the US have also raised this issue.
- Thank you for sharing, Deputy Minister!./.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/viet-nam-dat-ket-qua-tuong-doi-tich-cuc-trong-no-luc-go-the-vang-iuu-5020565.html
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