Durian Export: Need to Prevent Cadmium and Yellow O Residues from the Root

Vietnam has 24 testing laboratories recognized by the General Administration of Customs of China to serve durian exports, with a total theoretical capacity of about 3,200 samples/day, enough to meet actual demand.

Ea Knuec Commune is piloting the attachment of QR codes to each tree and each durian fruit to ensure traceability - Photo: TAM AN

Mr. Huynh Tan Dat - Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection - said as above.

However, in mid-October, some testing labs had to temporarily stop operations due to maintenance, equipment failure or waiting for re-evaluation, making it impossible for businesses to complete the analysis procedures for Cadmium and Yellow O indicators - mandatory conditions for granting export certificates.

As a result, durian export activities in the Central Highlands, including Dak Lak - the largest growing region in the country - have been congested.

According to Mr. Dat, one of the reasons is that durian in the Central Highlands, including Dak Lak, is in harvest season, so the demand for testing is high, so the testing machines run at full capacity for a long time, leading to damage.

Some testing labs had to temporarily shut down to replace equipment or wait for testing machines to be rented.

Regarding the re-registration of expired testing laboratories, the Department of Quality - Processing and Market Development was previously in charge. However, since July 1, the re-recognition of testing laboratories has been decentralized to localities, but the localities are facing some difficulties and problems so it has not been implemented yet.

After strong direction from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the situation of durian testing has basically returned to normal.

At the main border gates, durian export activities are still going smoothly. For example, Lang Son border gate clears about 200 - 250 vehicles/day, Lao Cai about 100 - 150 vehicles and Mong Cai about 50 vehicles, totaling about 300 - 400 vehicles/day.

According to Mr. Dat, the Department of Quality - Processing and Market Development is assigned to review the capacity of laboratories, coordinate with the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection to send experts to support localities.

At the same time, it is required to mobilize maximum units with legal conditions to handle the remaining samples, ensure smooth export, and protect production for about 150,000 hectares of durian with an expected output of over 1.5 million tons this year.

"The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection is increasing technical exchanges, sharing testing data and continuing to guide localities to be more proactive in sampling, quality control, ensuring durian production and consumption until the end of the season," said Mr. Dat.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hoang Trung - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is continuing to work with the General Administration of Customs of China to quickly approve and recognize new testing laboratories to improve testing capacity.

In the long term, according to Mr. Trung, the fundamental solution is to ensure accuracy and honesty in the testing laboratories themselves.

Along with that, preventing Cadmium and Yellow O residues from the root is also set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to facilitate and maintain the reputation of exported durian.

In the immediate future, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is closely coordinating with the police to trace the O gold in durian being used before export.

"The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has also completed a technical report, from determining the cause, remedial measures and having measures to manage yellow O and Cadmium, and sent it to China for evaluation and consideration of abolishing two additional measures (ie eliminating testing for yellow O and Cadmium)," Mr. Trung added.

Clarifying the responsibilities of organizations and individuals causing disruptions to testing activities

Following reports of durian exports being congested due to the temporary suspension of testing laboratories, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to urgently inspect and determine the cause and responsibility of organizations and individuals for interrupting testing activities, affecting the progress of durian exports.

Strengthen management and supervision of testing laboratory activities and review and improve legal regulations and administrative procedures related to laboratories.

The Deputy Prime Minister also requested the ministry to coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to speed up the approval process, the extension or granting of new licenses to laboratories serving durian exports, ensuring that they meet technical, environmental and international standards.

At the same time, monitor and supervise the handling and report the handling results to the Deputy Prime Minister before November 7.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xuat-khau-sau-rieng-can-ngan-chan-du-luong-cadimi-va-vang-o-tu-goc-20251103232901591.htm