Vietnam Bolsters Agro-Forestry-Aquaculture Traceability for EU Market Access
Vietnam is bolstering its traceability systems for agro-forestry-aquaculture exports to meet European Union (EU) regulations and obtain Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) licences. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chin has directed enhanced traceability following EU food safety concerns.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is drafting a circular to manage plantation and packing facility codes, aiming to improve efficiency. Meanwhile, local authorities have been instructed to step up inspections and supervision, with the power to temporarily suspend export licenses to the EU if necessary.
The Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development under the Ministry is developing a national traceability system, focusing on high-risk products. This marks a significant technological advancement in forestry management, aiding monitoring and wood origin verification. The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) is funding a pilot of this system on 137,000ha of coffee, with plans to expand to 462,000ha.
The Department of Forestry and Forest Protection has launched WoodID, a mobile AI application that identifies wood species, recognizing over 260 types. This tool is used by customs officers, forest rangers, businesses, and researchers to enhance transparency and efficiency in the wood supply chain. Similarly, in the fisheries sector, the electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT) is widely implemented to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Ensuring wood traceability is crucial for Vietnam to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and obtain FLEGT licences. With the Ministry's circular, enhanced inspections, and the development of a national traceability system, Vietnam is taking significant steps to strengthen its agro-forestry-aquaculture export traceability, improving management efficiency and product reputation in the EU market.
