(vasep.com.vn) In August 2012, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will continue to work with Japan on the regulation of Ethoxyquin inspection as well as the regulation on maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Ethoxyquin residue in aquatic feed in Vietnam.
Confronted with the situation of Japan inspecting Ethoxyquin residue on 30 percent of shrimp consignments originated from Vietnam, MARD has issued documents to direct competent agencies guiding farmers how to use feed in the right way, strengthen Ethoxyquin residue control in seafood and aquatic feed trading and producing.
The Ministry assigned a delegation to visit Japan and recommend them to reconsider regulations on antibiotic residue in seafood imported into Japan in compliance with international standards of EU and the U.S.
Since May 18th 2012, Japan decided to inspect Ethoxyquin residue on 30 percent of shrimp consignments originated from Vietnam with MRLs of 0.01 ppm. However, Ethoxyquin is not a harmful substance but an anti-oxidant one popularly used in fishmeal products and is a part of animal feed.
Therefore, National Agro–Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) will continue to work with Japan to raise MRLs for Ethoxyquin residue in Vietnam shrimp exported to Japan from 0.01 ppm (10 ppb) up to 100 ppb.