Difficulty in issuing SC and CC certificates
The dispatch stated that recently, the Secretariat, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued many directives on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as removing the European Commission's "yellow card" warning. One of the key tasks is to organize the issuance of SC certificates at fishing ports and CC certificates at local fisheries management agencies in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BNNPTNT and Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BNNPTNT.
However, feedback from some businesses shows that in recent times, there has been a situation where fishing port management units and local fisheries management agencies have not properly implemented current regulations or applied them mechanically, rigidly, and abused regulations to require additional legal contents that have not been regulated, causing difficulties in issuing SC and CC certificates for seafood exports.
Review and edit inappropriate content that hinders business
To address this issue, the Prime Minister requested the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to strengthen guidance, training and coaching for localities on relevant regulations, ensuring that the process of issuing SC and CC certificates complies with the law. Inspection and supervision should be carried out regularly to detect and correct violations, especially in cases where businesses are required to provide documents that are not in accordance with regulations.
The Ministry is also tasked with comprehensively reviewing relevant legal regulations and amending any inappropriate or impeding provisions. Recommendations that exceed its authority must be promptly reported for remedial solutions. The goal is to create a transparent and favorable environment for businesses to exploit, process and export seafood.
The telegram requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and cities to direct competent agencies to strictly implement the work of issuing SC and CC certificates, and not to request documents outside of the law. At the same time, localities need to review, adjust and supplement relevant regulations to support fishermen and businesses to maintain production, ensure social security and economic development.
Localities must regularly inspect, monitor and strictly handle individuals and organizations that cause difficulties for people and businesses. Propaganda work also needs to be stepped up to help fishermen understand and fully comply with regulations against IUU fishing. In addition, localities need to thoroughly handle the situation of "3 no's" fishing vessels (no registration, no license, no route monitoring) as required in Official Dispatch No. 111/CD-TTg, as well as strengthen control of seafood transportation activities at sea.
The Prime Minister called for cooperation from seafood processing and exporting enterprises. Enterprises must ensure the establishment and storage of seafood traceability records in accordance with regulations, and coordinate with local authorities in propaganda work and instruct fishermen to comply with the law. This will not only help enterprises maintain stable export activities but also support Vietnam in implementing international commitments...
Official dispatch No. 127/CD-TTg was issued in the context of our country strengthening measures to combat IUU fishing, preparing to welcome the 5th Inspection Delegation of the European Commission. Removing the "yellow card" is an important task to strengthen the position of the Vietnamese seafood industry in the international market.
The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to monitor and summarize the results of the implementation of the Official Dispatch and report promptly to ensure the effectiveness of the solutions. The consensus of ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises not only helps to remove obstacles but also creates a foundation for sustainable development for the fisheries sector in the long term.
