Exporters, agriculture authorities mull farm produce safety

Authorities and exporters recently discussed plans to improve agriculture product safety management with the aim to drive exports to markets like the European Union (EU).
Representatives from exporters and officials from Luang Namtha province’s Agriculture and Forestry Department in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture met on July 20 to consider the challenges in improving exports to the EU market, with support from the International Trade Centre.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Souliya Souvanduan reported at the meeting on challenges faced in exporting fresh vegetables and timber to the EU. In many cases, the products have not complied with food safety and sanitary crop regulations or been subject to yield and sanitary inspections.
In some certified cases, there has been an infection of a controlled pest with pesticide residue or contamination of harmful microorganisms in the food.
There have been several warnings from the Food and Plant Safety Inspection Agency from the EU, and several destination sanctions have been applied.
Regarding the above issues, Mr Souliya pointed out that on April 27, 2016, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry issued agreement No. 2109 to strengthen the use of crop sanitary measures to address EU warning issues, suspend the exports of all 10 companies for inspection, and improve the review process in each case.
The Department of Agriculture has been allocated to establish a control system to cover standards and measures to address the issues, including the control of insecticide residues, pest control and food microbial contamination.
So far, only one company Living Fresh Sole in Champassak province has informed the EU that it can export vegetables in accordance with the regulations.
During last week’s discussion, relevant authorities also consulted on planning activities, as well as the agricultural commodity management project to increase exports to the EU market.
The EU banned the import of four types of vegetables grown in Laos following its warning that the vegetables failed to meet safety standards in 2016.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry told the relevant authorities to stop issuing quality guarantee certificates to companies who were warned by the EU. The suspension will be imposed until the quality of the vegetables is improved to meet the EU’s standards.
The authorities were also told to make sure the quality guarantee certificates were not issued for those vegetables grown outside the country but were claimed to have originated in Laos to enjoy the export quota.
District agriculture and forestry offices and planting divisions have been advised to disseminate the EU’s conditions and criteria to agribusiness operators and exporters so that exported farm products meet the requirements.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update July 28, 2020)