Hanoi - Vietnam will suspend operations of a Taiwanese-owned Vedan condiment factory in southern Dong Nai province that was found to be emitting illegal pollutants, a senior government official said Wednesday.

"We will halt Vedan's operations until the company remediates its environmental effects," said Deputy Minister of Natural Resource and Environment Tran Hong Ha.

Inspectors said Vedan is accused of discharging a total of 45,000 cubic metres of contaminated effluents over the past 10 years, effectively killing a 12-kilometre stretch of the Thi Vai River.

"The firm has repeatedly violated environmental regulations by dumping untreated wastewater into the Thi Vai River since 1994," said Ha. "Vietnamese authorities have warned them, but things have not changed much."

Government inspectors last week found the company had broken at least 10 environmental codes. Local media reported that on September 19, Vedan Vice Chairman Yang Kun Xiang had admitted its violations and apologized.

"We want to file criminal proceedings against this firm to set an example for others," said Nguyen Xuan Ly, head of the national Environmental Police Agency.

According to local newspapers, the Ministry of Public Security has temporarily barred all of Vedan's officers from leaving Vietnam until the case has been resolved.

The papers reported Vedan may have to pay wastewater fees of some 5.5 million dollars.

According to Vietnamese law, discharging pollution or toxic substances into water and failing to take environmental measures despite orders from government agencies is subject to a fine of between 10 million and 100 million dong (600 to 6,000 dollars), or up to 10 years of imprisonment. (dpa)