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Responding to questions from National Assembly deputies about difficulties and obstacles in the process of removing the yellow card of the European Commission (EC) at the 36th Session on August 21, 2024, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that in 2024, our country's fisheries industry will continue to face many challenges from the market, selling prices to challenges due to trade barriers. Especially in the context that Vietnam has been warned by the European Commission (EC) for nearly seven years on its fisheries activities with a yellow card.

Regarding solutions to remove the IUU "yellow card", Minister Le Minh Hoan said that the main solution is to effectively implement the Vietnam Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045; the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, which have been approved by the Prime Minister. In which, fisheries development is based on three pillars: reducing exploitation, increasing aquaculture and marine conservation, to ensure fishery reserves for future generations.

Assessing the results achieved, Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that the solutions to remove the IUU yellow card implemented over the past seven years have achieved certain results. Accordingly, Vietnam has reorganized the fisheries control system (currently 28 coastal localities have fisheries control forces); There is a Resolution of the Supreme People's Court Council of Judges on criminalizing violations related to IUU; the number of ships has been reduced by 20,000 (from more than 100,000 to 86,000), but compared to other countries in the region, the number of Vietnamese ships is too large in the sea, affecting sustainable development.

In addition, the structure of the fisheries industry is fragmented, small-scale, and there is no institution for community-based management of aquatic resources; the level of human resources in the fisheries sector is still limited, so in the coming time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training to find solutions to raise awareness for fishermen to participate in protecting aquatic resources.

"At the same time, in the coming time, we need to continue to demonstrate Vietnam's efforts in removing the IUU yellow card; "Coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of National Defense to implement the peak month," the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development emphasized.

If the IUU "yellow card" cannot be removed, seafood exports to the EU will continue to be seriously affected in the coming time. Illustration photo: L.T

Regarding solutions to remove difficulties in agricultural production for export, import of some raw materials for agricultural production and at the same time bring Vietnamese agricultural products to penetrate the European market, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that after importing raw materials, we will process them for export, so we have both import and export. Therefore, we need to gradually become self-reliant to balance this issue. Currently, domestic and foreign corporations and enterprises have invested in the field of raw materials for agricultural production, so localities need to actively participate. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will receive the opinions of delegates, coordinate with local ministries and branches to continue to implement this content well.

Regarding agricultural exports, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that agricultural exports have grown remarkably, up 20% compared to 2023. However, there are still many potential risks that can occur at any time.

"We cannot control the entire market because there are many countries competing for the same products as our country. Therefore, the most effective solution is to reorganize production, organize industries, reorganize markets, reorganize associations and make certain adjustments for each period of erratic price fluctuations or unexpected events; have policies to help people and businesses. At the same time, localities also need to create a stable market to ensure the regulation of their local agricultural products," Minister Le Minh Hoan said.