Italian Media Reports False News about Vietnamese Basa Catfish
Some Italian media have recently reported false news about Vietnamese basa catfish, saying that they are bred in polluted environment, worrying consumers, the state-run Nhan Dan (People) newspaper reported, citing the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The Vietnamese trade office in Italy said that the news has emerged since late 2008. It was resulted from the fact many primary schools in Italy fed their pupils with Vietnamese catfish two times a week. But expenditure on education was cut off after the new government took power, forcing the schools to use more catfish because this dish is quite cheap. The pupils’ parents then disagreed to put the catfish into the meal, causing worry about the catfish’s safety.
Italy is a big consumer of Vietnamese seafood with revenue hitting EUR118 million in 2008. Export of Vietnamese catfish to this country has recently increased.
The Ministry said the SlowFood, an international organization found in Italy will open a workshop on Vietnamese catfish in Genova from Apr 17 to 20. Italy’s minister of agricultural policies is expected to attend the workshop.
The Vietnamese ministries of Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers are expected to take urgent measures against the problem, such as providing information about catfish breeding in Mekong Delta region. The ministries should also be ready to receive inspection delegations from big importing countries. (The People)
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