Directive No. 07/2001/CT-BTS on banning the use of chloramphenicol and managing chemicals and veterinary drugs in aquaculture production

DIRECTIVE

On Prohibiting the Use of Chloramphenicol and Managing Chemicals and Veterinary Drugs in Aquatic Product Production

At the end of August and beginning of September 2001, some batches of shrimp exported from Vietnam to the EU were found to be contaminated with chloramphenicol, leading the European Commission to issue Decision No. 2001/699/EC on September 19, 2001, requiring EU member states to subject all shrimp shipments originating from or produced in Vietnam to chemical testing, and requesting member states to post rapid alert network results of such tests for all EU member states.

To maintain export momentum, protect the reputation of Vietnamese aquatic products in the global market, and avoid potential negative consequences in exports to the EU, the Minister of Fisheries issues this directive:

1\. Strictly prohibit the use of chloramphenicol throughout the entire process of aquaculture production, including breeding, cultivation, processing, preservation, and preparation of aquatic products. The use of other antibiotics in aquaculture must comply with regulations issued by the Ministry of Fisheries.

2\. For the Quality Control and Sanitation Center for Aquatic Products:

a\. Implement an enhanced inspection plan in October 2001, including:

- Organizing sampling for increased testing of chemical and veterinary drug indicators, particularly chloramphenicol, in aquaculture areas, focusing on semi-intensive and intensive farming regions and those affected by diseases;

- Cooperating with local inspection agencies to strengthen inspections of chemical and veterinary drug usage, especially chloramphenicol, during preservation and processing at fishing vessels, raw material collection agencies, storage facilities, and transportation of raw shrimp;

- Increasing inspections of raw material reception at shrimp processing enterprises and sampling water sources to test for chloramphenicol residues, controlling the use of preservatives and disinfectants containing chloramphenicol (such as hand creams or lotions for workers);

- Widely publicizing the results of residue control to shrimp processing enterprises, Fisheries Departments, and breeding farms;

b\. Collaborating with the Central Fisheries Promotion Center to organize training sessions for fishermen on regulations regarding the use of veterinary drugs, chemicals, and biological preparations in aquaculture;

c\. Sending a letter to the EU Commission to report on intensified residue testing activities for harmful chemicals, including chloramphenicol, in Vietnamese aquatic products, and requesting the EU to inform Vietnam about the methods and equipment used for unified testing in the EU and exporting countries;

d\. Summarizing and reporting to the Ministry before October 30, 2001;

e\. Funding for implementation of inspection activities will be supported from scientific and technological funds.

3\. For Fisheries Departments and Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development that manage fisheries:

a\. Disseminating this Directive to breeders, farm owners, raw material collectors, and processing facilities, and coordinating inspections. Emphasize the absolute prohibition of chloramphenicol use in aquaculture. For cases where other antibiotics have been used to prevent disease, ensure a four-week withdrawal period before harvest;

b\. Directing local inspection agencies and local Fisheries Promotion Centers to lead and coordinate with the Quality Control and Sanitation Center and its branches to implement the activities outlined in point 2(a).

4\. For aquatic product processing enterprises exporting to the EU: They are responsible for the quality and food safety of their products, specifically:

a\. Ensuring that raw material batches purchased come from permitted harvesting areas based on monthly announcements by the Quality Control and Sanitation Center regarding the results of harmful chemical residue controls in farmed aquatic products intended for export processing;

b\. Conducting stringent quality and safety inspections during raw material receipt, particularly for shrimp from disease-affected regions. During this period, enterprises must regularly send raw material samples to the Quality Control and Sanitation Branch IV for antibiotic and chloramphenicol residue testing;

c\. Strictly prohibiting the use of cleaning and disinfectant chemicals (such as hand creams or lotions for workers during production) containing chloramphenicol.

5\. For the Aquatic Resources Protection Department:

a\. Leading and coordinating with the Quality Control and Sanitation Center and the Science and Technology Department to research Codex, EU, US, and other country standards, as well as domestic ministry and agency documents, to propose lists of permitted, restricted, and prohibited veterinary drugs, chemicals, and biological preparations for use in aquaculture, post-harvest raw material preservation, and processing;

b\. Leading the enforcement of this Directive at breeding facilities;

c\. Collaborating with the Quality Control and Sanitation Center, Fisheries Departments, Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development managing fisheries, Aquatic Resources Protection Bureaus, and local Fisheries Promotion Centers to implement the contents of point 2(a).

6\. For the Central Fisheries Promotion Center:

Leading and coordinating with the Quality Control and Sanitation Center and the Aquatic Resources Protection Department to urgently organize training sessions for the public on regulations concerning the use of veterinary drugs, chemicals, and biological preparations in aquaculture.

Leaders of relevant units are responsible for organizing the implementation and monitoring compliance with this Directive.