Vietnam - UK cooperate to implement the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund

On April 12, MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan had a meeting with Ms. Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan welcomed his British counterpart and expected that the two ministries would develop bilateral cooperation in general and agricultural commerce in particular. This cooperation will reaffirm the potential and level of partnership of the two nations.

Regarding trading activities of products of animal origin, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that MARD had fulfilled the procedures for inspection, evaluation, and unification of the certification form for hog and poultry meat from the UK. MARD urged the UK side to provide standards on sanitary animal health, and food safety for processed pork, poultry meat, eggs (fresh and processed), dairy, and dairy products from Vietnam into the UK to better encourage livestock trade between the two countries.

In 2023, MARD recommended the UK consider technical assistance programs for MARD to meet new standards of Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery products exported to the UK, as well as mobilizing FDI investment from the UK to pour in Vietnam, linking agro-forestry-fishery markets.

As for trading activities of products of plant origin, the Vietnamese minister urged the UK to help in building capacity, training in establishing data on phytosanitary as well as encouraging market access. "Both parties need to increase cooperation in spreading import laws, boosting trade of products of plant origin, plant protection agents, safe and effective products in plant production," said the leader of Vietnam's agriculture sector.

For trading activities of goods of fisheries origin, it is vital to promote market openness, export of tra fish, in which Vietnam has the strength to the UK market, execute effectively commitments of the two sides in trade, sustainable management of marine biological resources and aquaculture products.

Within the Vietnam - UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), Minister Le MInh Hoan requested two ministries to closely work together to execute cooperative activities in 2023 - the year when Vietnam and the UK celebrated the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

Regarding commerce of timber and forest goods, it is advised to encourage cooperation in timber and wood products. To be more specific, the two sides should coordinate to exchange plans to propose the signing of the Vietnam - UK timber trade agreement, which is similar to that of Vietnam and EU; coordinate to promote trade in timber and forest products, remove barriers, and create favorable conditions for the agriculture to operate in accordance with the strengths of the two sides.

Ms. Thérèse Coffey Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs highly appreciates the support of Vietnam as the host country of the last negotiation round between the UK and CPTPP members.

There is an agreement put in place that will create the grounds for future trade connections, growth, and investment between the UK and CPTPP countries, including Vietnam. "Agriculture is a significant field of the two countries. We can see additional opportunities created, especially following COP26. We seek more ideas to help on sustainable agriculture policies," added Ms. Coffey.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also underlined that the UK was willing to help Vietnam with a wide range of issues including IUU, and forestry among others.

Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that Vietnam is pushing the agricultural space shifting along the lines of economic thinking, assuring transparency, sustainability, and adjusting to climate change and market volatility. While the institutions in the domains of agriculture and fishing are being enhanced.

Nevertheless, the Minister also pointed out a number of issues in several areas such as forest space governance, preservation of natural environment sustainability in the forestry and maritime sectors, and lack of traceability technologies among others. Thus, Vietnam requires nations such as the UK to support to the development of the ability of forestry and fisheries management to adapt to the new requirements of the international market.

“We also need joint initiatives to enhance lives and endure natural calamities, landslides, etc. Collaboration between Vietnam and the UK on sustainable agriculture will entail policy debate and the adoption of breakthroughs in modern agriculture. It is proposed that the two sides organize annual forums to connect trade and stimulate agricultural investment, mobilize resources from FDI, apply science and technology from the UK to develop sustainable agriculture in Vietnam, and create conditions to access and open the market for agricultural, forestry and fishery products of the two countries," said the leader of Vietnam's agriculture sector

At the meeting, Minister Le Minh Hoan and Secretary Thérèse Coffey signed a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in supporting the execution of the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund.

“This is one of the new areas of collaboration, which is of tremendous relevance to the concerns of countries in the region and the world. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is dedicated to devoting suitable resources and instructing specialized authorities to coordinate and arrange the execution of the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund most effectively, satisfying the practical needs and expectations of both parties. Alongside, I guarantee to direct and organize a Steering Committee to work with the UK side and implement the Memorandum of Understanding in accordance with the commitments between the two ministries today," said Minister Le Minh Hoan.