VASEP proposes to remove obstacles for exporting shrimp floss materials

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) recently sent an official dispatch to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Department of Fisheries, requesting the removal of procedural barriers to exporting raw shrimp to the EU market.

According to this document, seafood enterprises have reported that all batches of processed products made from raw shrimp are currently ineligible for export to the EU due to issues with obtaining the Certificate of Exploitation of Raw Materials (S/C) and Catch Certificates (C/C).

The shrimp species in concern, Acetes japonicus (commonly known as Akiami paste shrimp), is a unique seafood resource harvested near the shore by fishermen using small basket boats. Since these boats are under 15 meters in length, they do not require fishing licenses or Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) equipment and are mostly docked directly on the beach without the need to update the eCDT software.

As a result, processed shrimp batches do not meet the requirements for S/C and C/C certification, making them ineligible for export to Europe under current regulations. Meanwhile, shrimp production remains substantial in the Central and Southern provinces, and European customers continue to show strong demand for this product.

To enhance the value of traditional shrimp fishing, sustain fishermen's livelihoods, and facilitate smooth shrimp exports to the EU, VASEP has raised this issue with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at multiple events in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In its official dispatch, VASEP urges the Ministry to prioritize this matter in discussions with the European Commission (EC) and to formally request that shrimp be included in the list outlined in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008. This inclusion would exempt processed shrimp shipments from the IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing regulations stipulated in Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, thereby easing export restrictions.