At a meeting with municipal and provincial leaders in Hanoi on April 27, the government leader said food safety not only affected the health of the nation, but also its international status.
He urged the undertaking of a number of tasks, including identifying those responsible for food safety violations, adding that leaders of local administrations should be held accountable if violations occur in their area of management.
The PM ordered the most severe administrative punishments, even prosecuting offenders, as well as strengthening inspections and information to encourage food producers to change their ways of thinking on food safety.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung proposed regulations on posting product origins to make it easier for public supervision.
Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Party Committee Dinh La Thang touche upon issues relating to poor State management and loose inspection by competent agencies.
The official suggested establishing a specialized apparatus in charge of food safety in cities and provinces.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat underlined the need to clarify the tasks of ministries, agencies and localities regarding food safety and proposed setting up connection models between producers, farmers and businesses to facilitate inspections.
It is imperative to stop the smuggling of pesticide and banned substances in order to prevent the abuse of them in farming, husbandry and aquaculture, he added.
