Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Dec. 14 (VNA) -- A seminar on animal and plant quarantine control is being held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Ha Noi on Dec. 13 and 14.

Eleven officers from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Quarantine Agency and MARD officials discussed issues including the role of animal and plant quarantine control, new quarantine technology, pest risk analysis and animal disease surveillance as well as issues relating to monitoring import-export goods at border gates and ports.

Each year, Viet Nam exports to the U.S. about USD 170 million worth of shrimp, USD 100 million worth of coffee, USD 40 million worth of seafood, more than USD 20 million worth of nuts and USD 15 million worth of spices.

Viet Nam is expected to earn USD 400 million from agricultural exports to the U.S. this year.--VNA