Hanoi (VNA) – Pဣrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has underlined the need to identify the responsibilities of agencies concerned with food safety management, especially the role played by their chiefs.

The Government leader made the request at a teleconference in Hanoi on April 27, where he also called for intensified inspections over the work. “Ensuring food hygiene is the responsibility of the Party and State, firstly of all-level authorities,” the PM said. He underlined that Chairpersons of People’s Committees at communal, district and provincial/municipal levels should bear responsibility when there are violations of food safety rules in areas under their management, as should the market management force and the police, PM Phuc admitted that relevant agencies have yet to perform well in ensuring food safety, which, he said, has had a direct impact not only on human health, but also the country’s position and prestige. Ensuring food safety is also the responsibility of the entire population, who should have a higher awareness of this issue to bring violations to light, the PM said, asking households and companies to publicise their production process. The leader instructed ensuring funding for food safety-related work, covering an array of steps like food inspection, equipment supply, personnel training and communications. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other delegates at the event laid special emphasis on the punishment of violations, saying not only State managers, but also producers and business people involved, must receive the strictest treatment. Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung proposed regulations requiring posting product origins to make it easier for public supervision. Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Party Committee Dinh La Thang pointed 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 stressed 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. He also pointed to the urgent need to stop the smuggling of pesticide and banned substances in order to prevent the abuse of them in farming, husbandry and aquaculture. The minister noted that his ministry is drafting a decree amending other decrees, which will soon be submitted to the Government for approval, to increase the punishment of such violations. Echoing other delegates’ views, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said that criminal law may be applied in punishing violators.-VNA