Through the reflections of the press, the media, warnings from the importing countries of Vietnam’s seafood and the information provided by the units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development when conducting inspections in some places, it has become clear that in the past this is still the case a situation where some shops are dealing in antibiotics that are banned from use in aquaculture, drugs that are not yet allowed to be circulated in Vietnam, counterfeit veterinary drugs, poor-quality drugs that violate drug labeling regulations.

In addition, the sale of aquatic veterinary medicines online and through social networks is increasingly frequent, uncontrolled and does not meet the conditions required by law. The seller has no professional qualifications, no veterinary practice certificate, no equipment, no guarantee of the prescribed storage conditions of the drug.

In addition, veterinary medicines are shipped and transported to agricultural areas and farms by public transport, couriers and freight forwarders, especially veterinary medicines of unknown origin and smuggled medicines are traded, and antibiotic materials are sold for human use.

The situation of marketing staff who go to aquaculture areas and facilities to advertise and give advice is not suitable for the use and use of products, and directly sells aquatic veterinary medicines, which are not yet allowed to be circulated in Vietnam.

Facilities that use antibiotic raw materials directly to prevent and treat disease are in violation of applicable regulations. In particular, the situation of using banned drugs, especially buying drugs used in medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases with arbitrary doses, using drugs for the wrong purposes, mixing antibiotics in water feed to prevent diseases that are still often occur, the time to stop using does not keep the medication.

The report by the Agro-Forestry and Fisheries (Nafiqad) Quality Assurance Department found that many seafood samples contained residues of banned antibiotics such as enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and chloramphenicol. The above violations of regulations cause food insecurity, increase drug resistance, severely affect public health, and export our country’s animals and animal products.

In order to immediately stop the above violations, further improve the effectiveness of veterinary drug management, reduce the risk of antibiotic residues and protect consumer health, the export of animals and animal products to other countries will not be affected, the Ministry of Agriculture and rural development written to request the provincial and centrally-run city people’s committees to pay attention to direct specialized agencies, authorities at all levels, enterprises and local people to strictly implement the management, trade and use of veterinary medicines, in particular antibiotics, in accordance with the Veterinary Drugs, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Act.

Immediately and synchronously and effectively implement solutions to ensure food safety in accordance with the Secretariat’s instructions in Directive No. 17-CT/TW of October 21, 2022 to strengthen food safety assurance Food safety and food safety in the new situation. At the same time, strictly implement the guidance documents and instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also called on municipalities to guide the implementation of effective management of trade, transportation and use of veterinary drugs, chemical products, biological treatment and environmental improvement in aquaculture.

Establishment of inspection teams to inspect establishments dealing in veterinary medicines, chemical products, biological treatment and environmental improvement in aquaculture. Organize sampling for quality checks, recall, destroy and treat violations or propose competent bodies for violations requiring criminal treatment, organize inspection of violations, use veterinary drugs, especially antibiotics, in aquaculture farms, treat violations strictly in accordance with the regulations.

Direct local authorities to set up special projects, investigate, fight and severely treat organizations and individuals trafficking and using veterinary medicines, especially antibiotics of unknown origin and counterfeit medicines, poor quality medicines, banned medicines, medicines made in Vietnam not yet allowed to be put into circulation, mislabelled, misrepresented uses, sale and use of antibiotic raw materials in aquaculture.

Investigate, investigate, investigate and deal strictly with cases of illegal trade in veterinary medicines on social networks and online. Cases of violations of regulations on the marketing and direct sale of veterinary medicines, chemical products, biological treatment and improvement of the aquatic environment in agricultural areas and livestock farms.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requires municipalities to instruct veterinary and fisheries authorities to strengthen farmland and livestock management; Guiding aquaculture farmers on disease-safe farming practices, antibiotic abuse, use of raw antibiotics, drugs, antibiotics banned in aquaculture. Strengthening information, propaganda and dissemination of legal regulations and responsibilities in the trade and use of veterinary medicines of clear origin authorized for circulation in Vietnam; harmful effects of using unregulated aquatic veterinary drugs, medicinal drugs, banned drugs, drugs from the list; Use only approved veterinary medicines and follow the prescribed time to stop taking medicines.