The government has instructed relevant agencies to investigate the recent delays in testing durian for chemical residues that held export shipments up at the China border.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Friday directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Dak Lak Province, a major durian producer, to identify the cause of the issue and the individuals and agencies responsible for it.
Last week the Dak Lak Durian Association said thousands of containers of the fruit were stuck at warehouses, packing facilities and border checkpoints because laboratories had paused testing since Oct. 11, preventing businesses from obtaining the certifications needed for exporting to China.
Some labs blamed the delays on the need for equipment maintenance while others said their licenses needed renewal, a process that has become slower than usual due to recent changes.
Ha has ordered the ministry to tighten oversight of testing facilities, expedite the license renewal process and report its findings before Nov. 7.
He also called on the administrations of Dak Lak and other provinces to help local labs complete the necessary documents and meet other requirements for a license.
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An opened durian. Photo by Manh Khuong |
Some exporters said they suffered heavy losses as the delays caused their fruit shipments to spoil.
Many exporters stopped buying durians from farmers, driving down prices at the farm gate from VND80,000 (US$3.04) per kilogram to VND20,000-25,000.
Vietnam has 24 labs approved by Chinese customs that can test a total of 3,200 samples a day.
In a meeting held to discuss the disruption last week, the agriculture ministry ordered relevant agencies to review all labs and assign staff to assist them if needed.
It also instructed the Plant Protection Department to work with Chinese authorities to get more testing facilities approved.
