Việt Nam, NZ to pilot use of electronic quarantine certificates

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and New Zealand signed a cooperation agreement to utilise electronic certificates in the veterinary field for the 2024-26 period, witnessed by Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Minh Hoan and New Zealand Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay on March 11. They will also simplify and expedite customs clearance procedures at border crossings by transitioning to an official electronic quarantine certification system. This will initially focus on dairy products from New Zealand, with technical assistance offered by New Zealand to Việt Nam's Department of Animal Health (DAH) during the implementation phase. A trial period for electronic certificates will run from late 2024 to the second quarter of 2025, with expansion to other products planned for the third quarter of 2025 onwards. Việt Nam acknowledged that New Zealand has provided sufficient information to facilitate market access for its honey and venison products.