Finding the truth about Vietnam’s tra fish

What proposals will the Vietnamese side voice during the working session with WWF?

The Directorate of Fisheries will deliver all scientific arguments about Vietnam’s tra fish, thus to help WWF have a more comprehensive outlook about the fish. We will also deliver our viewpoint about the 19-criteria set that WWF had applied in assessing and evaluating tra fish. One of the basic principles in establishing a criterion is the trio-party presence. However, the principle was impinged by WWF itself in setting up criteria as well as in assessing and clarifying Vietnam’s tra fish.

What is the oddest thing in WWF’s criteria?

We have scrutinised two assessment reports and were quite disappointed with their poor contents. In fact, WWF did not carry out any field surveys in Vietnam, but only based on two documents from the Netherlands [an press article printed on Aquaculture journal numbered 296/2009 of the World Aquaculture Society with six editions/year and the feeding system’s environmental assessment report of Netherlands-based Wagenningen University]. Most of the data and figures were based on these two archaic documents which are not commensurate with current tra fish breeding practice in Vietnam.

Could you elaborate on the wrong information WWF had about tra fish?

For example, about ecological impacts, WWF assumed that Vietnam’s tra fish feeding sources were out of control while the food contained harmful chemicals. In fact, Vietnam has enacted the list of drugs and chemicals which can be or cannot be used in aquaculture. Tra fish meals are mostly imported from prestigious businesses worldwide and the food quality is strictly controlled.

Did the General Department of Fisheries have the intention to invite Powell to join field surveys to understand tra fish breeding practices in Vietnam?

If WWF wants so, we are very willing as we want a WWF representative to go inside tra fish farming in Vietnam so as to have a more objective view about the fish. However, as far as I know Powell has come to Vietnam for two days, therefore it would be difficult to arrange some field surveys.

Is there the possibility for Vietnam to sue WWF at the World Trade Organization if WWF does not correct the information?

We can do so, however, we expect to see WWF’s positive move after today’s dialogue.