Australian delegation examines shrimp processing chain in Vietnam

Workers process shrimps for export at a factory. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation from Australia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources is visiting Vietnam from February 26 to March 2 to inspect the processing chain for shrimps exported to Australia.

According to the Trade Office of Vietnam in Australia, the delegation focuses on four main issues, including prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases.

The delegation plans to examine the issuance of shrimp quarantine certification for export and visit laboratories where shrimps are tested for white spot syndrome and yellow-head disease before export.

It will also visit shrimp hatcheries, farms and processing facilities in the shrimp processing chain for export to Australia.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Australia banned green and raw shrimp from Asian nations, including Vietnam, on January 9 last year.

The ban was levied after the Australian government detected white spot viruses in shrimp sold at stores and suspected that was behind a white spot outbreak in Queensland.

The ban was lifted in July 6, 2017 but Australia introduced stricter import conditions in which uncooked shrimp products from Vietnam are subject to tests for white spot syndrome virus at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory before being sold.

If testing positive for the white spot syndrome, the products must be re-exported, destroyed or cooked.