PH, Vietnam to Collaborate on High Value Crops, Strengthen Fisheries Cooperation

The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to work together on integrated pest management and exchange information on post-harvest technologies and processing in high-value crops, and also strengthen cooperation in the fisheries sector.

Both parties agreed that their respective plant protection experts will meet and identify specific fruits and vegetables for export and determine the phytosanitary requirements, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said in a statement Sunday.

The agreement was made during the recent First Meeting of the Joint Agriculture Working Group between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Orlan Calayag and Agriculture and Rural Development Vice Minister Vu Van Tam of Vietnam.

According Alcala, the Philippines expressed interest in knowing more about the technologies on the control of the black pepper disease.

He added, the Philippines and Vietnam agreed to effectively carry out the Memorandum of Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation signed by both counties in 2009.

“We aim to bolster a united effort in aquaculture, fisheries, processing and marketing, including but not limited to advanced technology transfer, training and capacity building, culinary or processing practices, post-harvest technologies and exchange of visits, “Alcala said.

A hotline to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and to support humanitarian search and rescue operations at sea is also aimed to be established.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines and the Directorate of Fisheries of Vietnam will work on specific details to report to their respective Department and Ministry, respectively, so that the hotline can be permanently established by the end of 2015, Alcala said. (DA)