Food > Fish and Seafood > Import > Vietnam 

Arrangement
Concerning the Inspection and Certification of Aquaculture Fish and Fish Products Exported from Vietnam to Canada for Drug Residues
(hereinafter referred to as the "Arrangement")

Between: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) represented by the Fish, Seafood and Production Division (hereinafter referred to as "CFIA")

And: The National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate of the Vietnam Ministry of Fisheries (hereinafter referred to as "NAFIQAVED")

Hereinafter referred to collectively as the Parties;

Recognizing that Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green are not permitted in fish for human consumption in Canada

Desiring to strengthen mutual cooperation on the inspection and certification of fish and fish products traded between the two countries

Desiring to establish an Arrangement for the recognition of certification by NAFIQAVED of aquaculture fish and fish products shipped from Vietnam to Canada for residues of Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green (MG) and Leucomalachite Green (LMG)

Desiring to establish the inspection approach to be followed by the CFIA concerning shipments of aquaculture fish and fish products accompanied by a NAFIQAVED certificate.

The Parties have concluded the following Arrangement:

Recognition of Competent Authority

1. CFIA recognizes NAFIQAVED as the National Competent Authority of Vietnam responsible for controlling the safety and quality of Vietnamese fish and fish products intended for export to Canada.

2. NAFIQAVED recognizes CFIA as the National Competent Authority of Canada responsible for administering Canada’s fish inspection and control system, and for verifying the safety and quality of Canadian fish and fish products imported into Canada from Vietnam.

NAFIQAVED’s inspection/certification process for aquaculture fish and fish products  intended for export to Canada

3. Only consignments processed in establishments meeting Vietnam’s fisheries sectoral standard at a rating of at least A or B are eligible for certification and shipment to Canada. NAFIQAVED will control the Quality Management System of the establishment according to the GMP, SSOP and HACCP. NAFIQAVED will analyze consignments of all aquaculture fish and fish products destined for export to Canada for Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green, and will issue certificates as per the procedure outlined below:

Sampling and Analysis

• For Chloramphenicol, consignments will be analyzed by initially screening a pooled sample size of 5 units representative of the consignment using the ELISA method with a detection limit of 0.2 ppb and, if positive, confirming the result using a Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method with level of detection of 0.1 ppb.
• For Nitrofurans, consignments will be analyzed by taking a pooled sample size of 5 units representative of the consignment, and using a LC-MS/MS method to determine 3 Amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), 3-Amino-5 morpholinomethyl-oxazolidin-2-one (AMOZ), 1-Aminohydantoin hydrochloride (AHD), and Semicarbazide (SEM) with limits of detection as follows: 0.1 ppb for AMOZ and AOZ, 0.3 ppb for AHD and 0.5 ppb for SEM.
• For Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green; consignments will be analyzed by taking a pooled sample size of 5 units representative of the consignment, and using a Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method with a minimum performance level established as a limit of quantification of 0.5 ppb.

NAFIQAVED and CFIA agreed to review the frequency of analytical testing and adjust as required.

Certification

4. Provided that there is no evidence of deliberate use of the substances mentioned in the article 3 in the production of the product identified in the shipment and they are not detected, or in the case of Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green, detected at levels less than or equal to 0.5 ppb, an authorized officer of NAFIQAVED will issue a certificate which includes attestation similar to the following:

• Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green have not been used at any stage in the production of the product identified.

• This product has been analysed for Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green by NAFIQAVED. Cloramphenicol and nitrofurans were not detected. Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green were detected at levels less than or equal to 0.5 ppb.

The certificate must also indicate a lot identity number or date code specific to the product analyzed and being shipped.

CFIA Inspection Approach for Consignments of Aquaculture Fish and Fish Products Imported from Vietnam

5. CFIA will hold and analyse for the above-mentioned substance(s) at a frequency of no greater than 5%, those consignments of aquaculture fish products which are accompanied by the certificate identified in paragraph 4, which is presented to CFIA upon importation.

6. CFIA will hold and analyse for Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green consignments of aquaculture fish products which are not accompanied by the certificate identified in the paragraph 4.

7. As required by sub-section 6.5(2) of the Fish Inspection Regulations, specific fish products from Vietnam that are currently on the Import Alert List due to detection of Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green or Leucomalachite Green, will be held and analyzed for these substances until there are four consecutive compliant shipments, regardless if the shipments are accompanied by the certificate identified in the paragraph 4.

8. It should be noted that regardless of this Arrangement, all shipments of aquaculture fish and fish products whether or not accompanied by the certificate identified in paragraph 4 will be randomly inspected by CFIA for other criteria such as microbiological and chemical contaminants, other drug residues, additives, quality, label information, and the net content declaration.

Information Exchange

9. Subject to the relevant access to information and privacy legislation,

a. CFIA will provide information to NAFIQAVED concerning consignments of Vietnamese origin in which Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurans, Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green are detected.
b. NAFIQAVED will investigate the origin of  the above-mentioned substances in consignments imported into Canada, and provide CFIA with a report on the probable cause and actions which were or will be taken to prevent the reoccurrence.
c. The Parties agree to exchange information concerning the implementation of this Arrangement and other matters of mutual interest on as needed basis.

10. This Arrangement will be reviewed annually by the Parties to resolve any issues and determine the necessity for its continuance or amendment.

11. Either Party may terminate this Arrangement by giving at least 30 days written notice to the other party.

12. This Arrangement will replace the Arrangement Concerning the Inspection and Certification of Fish and Fish Products Exported from Vietnam to Canada for Chloramphenicol Residues signed on April 30, 2004.

13. This Arrangement will come into effect on the date of signature.

14. The contacts for the administration of this Arrangement are: