Australia OK’s lychee irradiation centre

The Plant Protection Department under Việt Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development received official recognition from the Australian department yesterday.

The lychees will go through irradiation treatment in Hà Nội instead of being shipped to the south, which helps reduce transport cost and time.

The outcome was attributed to the close co-operation between the Vietnamese Plant Protection Department, Australian competent agencies, and the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam, as well as the active engagement of the Hà Nội Irradiation Centre and businesses.

Head of the Plant Protection Department Hoàng Trung said the centre will help lychee exporters reduce costs by around VNĐ16 million (US$717) per tonne.

According to Australian regulations, to enter the market, the Vietnamese fresh lychees must apply cultivation measures to mitigate harmful organisms and ensure quality and safety under the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Farmers have to record the production process to facilitate the trace of their fruits’ origin. The fresh lychees must be transported to the registered packaging and labelling facilities for further examination at the Plant Protection Department.

The fruits will be treated at Sơn Sơn and An Phú irradiation companies and Hà Nội Irradiation Centre. The Vietnamese plant inspection agencies will grant phytosanitary certificates to batches that satisfy the market’s requirements.

Irradiation is considered a safe technology that helps kill all bacteria and microorganisms and keeps fruit fresh for longer periods, even up to a few months.