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:
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.
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
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.
The certificate must also indicate a lot identity number or date code specific to the product analyzed and being shipped.
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.
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:
Director, Fish, Seafood and Production Division Canadian Food Inspection Agency 159 Cleopatra Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9 Phone: 00 1 613 221-7136 Alternate contact: National Manager Inspection Systems Phone: 00 1 613 221-7026 |
General Director, The National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate, Ministry of Fisheries of Vietnam 10 Nguyen Cong Hoan Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam Phone: 84 4 8354966 Alternate contact: Head of the International Cooperation Section Phone: 84 4 7714195 |
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Mary Ann Green Director Original signed by Mary Ann Green July 17, 2006 |
The National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary
Directorate Nguyen Tu Cuong General Director Original signed by Nguyen Tu Cuong July 17, 2006 |