On July 11, 2007, the Ministry of Fisheries issued  decision No. 06/2007/QÐ-BTS  to strictly control the quality of the seafood exports being shipped to Japan in a move to protect the reputation of Vietnamese seafood products in this lucrative market.

Accordingly, from next month, only seafood consignments that have been checked to meet national standard on hygiene and food safety are allowed to export to Japan.

Particularly, 100% of crustacean and mollusk products consignments have to undergo inspection to ensure their chemical and antibiotics residues –free condition before shipped to Japan.

According to this decision, enterprises which have had 3 consignments (even prior to the enactment of the decision) determined by Japanese authorities to contain prohibited substances will not be allowed to export consignments of crustaceans (shrimp, crab) and mollusks (cuttlefish, octopus).
 
Seafood processing enterprises will only be allowed to resume exports of crustacean and mollusk products to Japan after they have reported to the ministry, settled the problems effectively, and their products get the recognition from the National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate (Nafiqaved) on food hygiene.

This decision is issued in response to an alarming fact that many seafood export consignments from Vietnam has been rejected by Japan due to existence of prohibited chemical and anti-biotic residues in the products.

The decision will come into effect in 15 days from publication on Official Gazette.