Dung made the statement at a press briefing in Hanoi on December 7. He asked the WWF to reconsider its member organisations’ decision and publicise the criteria for placing Tra fish on the Red List, as well as correcting the false information supplied to European consumers.

According to Intrafish, WWF member organisations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway and Denmark have moved a number of Vietnam’s Tra fish products from the Orange List (products can be considered for use) to the Red List (products should not be used) in their 2010-2011 consumer guidance manual for the six EU countries.

This is based on a recent survey conducted by an independent consultancy company hired by the WWF members in these countries to analyse over 100 aquatic species from all over the world under the newly-amended WWF criteria on sustainable development.

The VASEP is worried that the incorrect assessment, which lacks scientific evidence, by some WWF member organizations will adversely affect Tra fish breeders, producers, and consumers, as well as WWF’s prestige.

The VASEP is eager to provide necessary information and create the best possible conditions for WWF member organisations and experts to clarify the issue, said Dung

VASEP Vice Chairman Dung said that over the past two years, Vietnamese administrators, researchers, and Tra fish breeders have worked closely with the WWF to draw up the criteria for sustainable Tra fish breeding. Therefore, the WWF must be aware of the advances made in breeding Tra fish in Vietnam.

In addition, many breeding areas and Tra fish producers have been granted international certifications such as the SQF and Global GAP.

Tra fish – an important food supply for the world

Tra fish is a freshwater fish that provides cheap, nutritious, and safe food to consumers across the world. With an output of 1.5 million tonnes per year, the industry account for 1 percent of the world’s aquatic output, and Vietnam supplies almost 95 percent of commercial Tra fish to the world market.

In the first ten months of 2010, Vietnam exported more than 538,000 tonnes of Tra fish to 124 countries and territories all over the world, earning US$1,151 million. Export revenues have also seen an annual growth, despite the economic crisis.

The EU is one of the largest markets for Vietnamese Tra fish and imported nearly 185,000 tonnes in the first ten months of 2010, earning US$423 million. It has become a very popular foods with European consumers thanks to its high-quality and reasonable price.

Tra fish is an omnivorous fish which eats vegetarian proteins and can be bred at large numbers so it is a product with a high economic value.

Therefore, the WWF should encourage the expansion of Tra fish breeding in order to preserve the wild aquatic species and the world’s biological diversify.

Many breeding areas certified with Global GAP

Many Vietnamese Tra fish businesses have taken the initiative and applied international standards to meet the growing demand of consumers.

Many businesses have successfully applied modern technologies such as the Radio-frequency identification (RFID).

Since 2003, Vietnam has widely used the quality management certification system SQF 1000 introduced by the US Food Marketing Institute (FMI) while since the beginning of 2010, many breeding areas have been certified by the Global Good Agriculture Practice (Global GAP), the highest export standard.

In September 2009, the Government approved a project on the breeding and processing of Tra fish until 2020. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is also working with the business community to propose a resolution on the processing and consumption of Tra fish for Government approval, in an effort to create a legal framework to sustain the industry.

The management of the impacts of breeding Tra fish on the environment has been strictly controlled. A programme on the management of the Mekong Delta implemented by the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department indicates that the quality of the environment in the lower section of the Mekong River still meets international and national standards.

WWF asked to be more objective

The WWF member organizations’ decision to move Vietnamese Tra fish from the Orange List to the Red List is based on false information and contrary to what is happening in Vietnam.

The immediate reaction of major corporations in the EU such as the Findus and Birds Eye shows that the decision has had a negative impact on not only consumers but also Tra fish importers and businesses, particularly in the post-crisis period. It has also adversely affected the relationship between Vietnam and EU countries and tens of thousands of Tra fish breeders in the Mekong Delta region.