DECREE
Regulations on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure
of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
______________________
THE GOVERNMENT
Based on the Law on the Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;
BASED ON THE GOVERNMENT DECREE NO. 178/2007/NĐ-CP OF DECEMBER 3, 2007, DEFINING THE FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF MINISTRIES AND GOVERNMENTAL BODIES AT MINISTRY LEVEL;
CONSIDERING THE PROPOSALS OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS;
DECREE:
Article 1. Position and Functions
THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IS AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT, PERFORMING THE FUNCTION OF STATE MANAGEMENT IN SECTORS AND FIELDS OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, SALT INDUSTRY, FISHERIES, IRRIGATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTRY; MANAGING STATE SERVICES IN SECTORS AND FIELDS UNDER THE MINISTRY'S MANAGEMENT.
Article 2. Tasks and Powers
THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT SHALL PERFORM THE TASKS AND POWERS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE GOVERNMENT DECREE NO. 178/2007/NĐ-CP OF DECEMBER 3, 2007, DEFINING THE FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF MINISTRIES AND GOVERNMENTAL BODIES AT MINISTRY LEVEL, AND THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC TASKS AND POWERS:
1. SUBMITTING TO THE GOVERNMENT PROJECTS OF LAWS, DRAFT RESOLUTIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, PROJECTS OF ORDINANCES, DRAFT RESOLUTIONS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY; DRAFT RESOLUTIONS, DECREE OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCORDING TO THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME OF THE MINISTRY APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND PROJECTS, PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO THE ASSIGNMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER.
2. SUBMITTING TO THE PRIME MINISTER STRATEGIES, PLANS, LONG-TERM, FIVE-YEAR AND ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF THE ENTIRE SECTOR; REGIONAL STRATEGIES, PLANS OF KEY AREAS, CROSS-REGIONAL AND CROSS-PROVINCIAL AREAS AND IMPORTANT NATIONAL PROJECTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN SECTORS AND FIELDS OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, FISHERIES, SALT INDUSTRY, IRRIGATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTRY; DRAFT DECISIONS AND DIRECTIVES WITHIN THE AUTHORITY OF THE PRIME MINISTER.
3. ISSUING DECISIONS, DIRECTIVES, CIRCULARS, STANDARDS, TECHNICAL REGULATIONS, PROCEDURES, RULES, ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL QUOTAS ON SECTORS AND FIELDS UNDER THE MINISTRY'S STATE MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TO THE LAW; GUIDING AND INSPECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH DOCUMENTS.
4. DIRECTING, GUIDING, INSPECTING AND BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGAL REGULATORY DOCUMENTS, STRATEGIES, PLANS AND PROGRAMMES APPROVED WITHIN THE MINISTRY'S STATE MANAGEMENT; PROVIDING INFORMATION, SPREADING, PROMOTING AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT LAWS IN SECTORS AND FIELDS UNDER THE MINISTRY'S STATE MANAGEMENT.
5. REGARDING AGRICULTURE (CROP CULTIVATION AND LIVESTOCK BREEDING):
a) DIRECTING AND GUIDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MECHANISMS AND POLICIES FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AFTER BEING DECIDED BY THE AUTHORIZED AUTHORITIES;
b) DIRECTING AND GUIDING THE USE OF THE STATE BUDGET FOR PROGRAMMES TO PREVENT, CONTROL AND MITIGATE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISEASES ON ANIMALS AND PLANTS; ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN ANIMALS AND ANNOUNCING DISEASES WHEN THERE ARE DEADLY INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN ANIMALS THAT CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS; REGIMES AND STANDARDS FOR ANIMAL AND PLANT QUARANTINE; PRACTICE LICENSES AND CONDITIONS FOR HANDLING, TRADING, DISPOSING OR RETURNING GENETIC MATERIALS OF PLANT PROTECTIVE CHEMICALS AND VETERINARY DRUGS TO THEIR PLACE OF ORIGIN AFTER BEING DECIDED BY THE AUTHORIZED AUTHORITIES;
c) PUBLICIZING AND ORGANIZING DIRECTING, GUIDING, INSPECTING, EVALUATING AND COMBINING REPORTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES, PLANS AND PROGRAMMES FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVED ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTRY;
d) DIRECTING THE STRUCTURE OF CROPS AND LIVESTOCK; PLANTING AND RAISING TECHNIQUES, HARVESTING, STORAGE AND SUMMARIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANNUAL PLANTING AND RAISING PLANS;
đ) DIRECTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANNING FOR DEVELOPING CROP AND LIVESTOCK ZONES, SAFE FOOD PRODUCTION; PLANS FOR USING, PROTECTING AND IMPROVING THE FERTILITY OF AGRICULTURAL LAND; PREVENTING SOIL EROSION, DESERTIFICATION AND LANDSLIDES;
e) ANNOUNCING THE LIST, GRANTING PERMISSION FOR THE EXPLOITATION AND USE OF PLANT AND ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES AND EXCHANGING RARE PLANT AND ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES; ISSUING THE LIST OF MAJOR CROPS, THE LIST OF PERMITTED PLANT AND ANIMAL VARIETIES FOR PRODUCTION AND TRADE; THE LIST OF RARE PLANT AND ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES TO BE PRESERVED; THE LIST OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS PROHIBITED FROM EXPORT AND PERMITTED TO EXCHANGE WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES; PERMITTING THE IMPORT OF PLANT AND ANIMAL VARIETIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF PERMITTED PLANT AND ANIMAL VARIETIES FOR PRODUCTION AND TRADE; ISSUING NATIONAL TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR GRAINS, REPRODUCTION PROCEDURES AND PROCEDURES FOR REGENERATING SUPER PURE SEEDS; PRODUCTION PROCEDURES FOR SHORT-LIVED FRUIT TREES, SCENIC TREES AND OTHER CROPS;
g) ISSUING REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR TESTING, SELECTING AND CREATING NEW PLANT AND ANIMAL VARIETIES; DECIDING THE RECOGNITION, GRANTING OR REVOKING THE PROTECTION CERTIFICATE FOR NEW PLANT AND ANIMAL VARIETIES; PRODUCTION PROCEDURES FOR NEW PLANT AND ANIMAL VARIETIES THAT MUST BE QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED TO MEET NATIONAL TECHNICAL STANDARDS;
h) REGULATING THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF FERTILIZERS; REGULATING THE TESTING AND RECOGNITION OF NEW FERTILIZERS; THE LIST OF FERTILIZERS THAT MUST HAVE QUALITY STANDARDS ANNOUNCED; ISSUING NATIONAL TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR FERTILIZERS;
i) REGULATING THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF FEED FOR LIVESTOCK; REGULATING THE TESTING OF FEED FOR LIVESTOCK AND RAW MATERIALS FOR PRODUCING FEED FOR LIVESTOCK; THE LIST OF FEED FOR LIVESTOCK AND RAW MATERIALS FROM ANIMALS USED TO PRODUCE FEED FOR LIVESTOCK;
k) GUIDING THE EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PLANT AND ANIMAL VARIETIES, FERTILIZERS AND FEED FOR LIVESTOCK;
l) REGARDING PLANT PROTECTION WORK:
FORECASTING THE SITUATION OF PESTS; DECIDING TO ANNOUNCE PEST DISEASES IN TWO PROVINCES OR MORE AND REPORTING TO THE PRIME MINISTER; GUIDING, DIRECTING AND DECIDING MEASURES TO ERADICATE DISEASES AND TO ABOLISH THE DECISION TO ANNOUNCE DISEASES;
ANNOUNCING THE LIST OF OBJECTS FOR PLANT QUARANTINE, THE LIST OF ITEMS SUBJECT TO PLANT QUARANTINE;
GUIDING AND INSPECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATIONS APPROVED ON THE REGIMES AND STANDARDS FOR PLANT QUARANTINE OF ITEMS SUBJECT TO PLANT QUARANTINE FOR EXPORT, IMPORT, TEMPORARY IMPORT FOR RE-EXPORT, TEMPORARY EXPORT FOR RE-IMPORT, TRANSIT AND THROUGH ROUTE; ON PRACTICE LICENSES AND CONDITIONS FOR HANDLING ITEMS SUBJECT TO PLANT QUARANTINE; ON PRACTICE LICENSES AND CONDITIONS FOR TRADING PLANT PROTECTIVE CHEMICALS; DECIDING ON PLANT PROTECTIVE CHEMICALS THAT MUST BE DESTROYED OR RETURNED TO THEIR PLACE OF ORIGIN.
Article 1 stipulates the procedures for testing, registering new plant protection chemicals for circulation, granting test permits, and issuing certificates of registration for plant protection chemicals; announcing the list of plant protection chemicals permitted for use, restricted, and prohibited in Vietnam. Granting import permits for plant protection chemicals not included in the list of permitted uses.
Article 2 stipulates the uniforms, quarantine cards, and sample quarantine forms for plant quarantine officers.
Article 3 guides the export and import of plant protection chemicals, raw materials for plant protection chemicals, and living organisms in the field of plant protection; imported goods subject to plant quarantine.
m) Regarding veterinary work for livestock (including aquatic animals):
Developing and directing the implementation of strategies, plans, and programs for preventing and controlling animal diseases nationwide.
Article 6 stipulates the conditions and procedures for recognizing disease-free zones and safe premises for animal diseases nationwide. Issuing lists of diseases that must be declared, dangerous animal diseases, and diseases requiring compulsory preventive measures.
Forecasting the situation of animal diseases; deciding on declaring outbreaks, epidemic areas involving two or more provinces, threatened areas, buffer zones, and compulsory preventive measures for animals, handling diseased animals and animal products, disinfection. Announcing the end of an outbreak, revoking decisions on epidemic areas, threatened areas, and buffer zones.
Directing and inspecting the implementation of the National Program for Controlling and Eradicating Animal Diseases approved.
Issuing lists of animals and animal products subject to quarantine; lists of animals and animal products required to undergo quarantine.
Issuing procedures and formalities for animal quarantine and measures for handling animals, animal products, transportation vehicles, and containers that do not meet veterinary hygiene standards.
Guiding and inspecting the implementation of regulations regarding quarantine systems and standards for animals and animal products subject to export, import, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, transit, and transshipment; about professional certificates, business conditions for veterinary drugs, and the destruction or return to the place of origin.
Article 12 stipulates the procedures and formalities for slaughterhouse control, stamps, and marking for slaughterhouse control; lists of subjects and procedures and formalities for veterinary hygiene inspections; provisions on research, testing, trials, registration procedures, and recognition of veterinary drugs, biological preparations, microorganisms, and chemicals used in veterinary medicine produced and circulated in Vietnam.
Issuing national technical standards for veterinary hygiene, veterinary drugs; lists of veterinary drugs, biological preparations, microorganisms, and chemicals used in veterinary medicine that must be applied and certified to comply with national technical standards.
Article 14 stipulates the uniforms, quarantine cards, and sample quarantine forms for animal and animal product quarantine officers.
Deciding to permit the import of veterinary drugs and vaccines not included in the list of permitted circulation in Vietnam.
Directing the diagnosis of animal diseases and national veterinary hygiene.
6. Regarding forestry:
a) Directing and guiding the implementation of government and Prime Minister's regulations on mechanisms and policies for forestry development; management and protection regimes for endangered and precious forest plants and animals; establishing planning systems and changing the purpose of use for national or inter-provincial protective forests and special-use forests; forest management regulations.
b) Publicizing and organizing the direction, guidance, inspection, evaluation, and reporting on the implementation of strategies, plans, and programs for protecting and developing forests approved nationwide.
c) Reviewing provincial and centrally-administered city forest protection and development plans.
d) Guiding and directing the investigation, determination, and demarcation of various types of forests; statistics, inventory, monitoring changes in forest resources and land for afforestation, establishing forest management files, and annually announcing the current status of forests and inventory results every five years.
đ) Stipulating criteria for classifying forest status; criteria for classifying special-use and protective forests meeting standards; criteria for planted forests becoming mature forests; provisions for determining planted forests and encircled-nurtured forests becoming mature forests.
e) Organizing and directing the implementation of investment mechanisms and policies for producing commercial forests, concentrated timber plantations, large and precious tree species, restoring, and developing natural forests that have been approved.
g) Guiding the production of combined forestry, agriculture, and aquaculture in protective forests; economic and technical norms and measures for developing forests.
h) Planning, directing, and recognizing national and regional forest seedling systems and nurseries; announcing lists, granting permits for exploiting, using, exchanging endangered and precious forest plant and animal genetic resources, and breeding and growing wild animals and plants; issuing lists of main forest tree species, permitted forest tree seed varieties for production and trade; prohibiting the export of certain forest tree seed varieties; allowing exchanges with foreign countries of certain forest tree seed varieties prohibited from export; permitting the import of forest tree seeds not listed in the permitted production and trade list; issuing national technical standards for seed levels, seed propagation processes, and super-pure strain rejuvenation processes; issuing testing procedures; deciding on the recognition, issuance, or revocation of plant variety protection certificates for new forest tree varieties; production processes and lists of forest tree varieties that must be applied and certified to comply with national technical standards; guiding the export and import of forest tree seeds.
i) Issuing, monitoring, and inspecting the implementation of regulations, norms, and procedures for nurturing, improving forests, and harvesting forest products; announcing annual forest product harvest volumes to localities; stipulating prohibitions in landscape, resort, and ecological tourism activities in special-use and protective forests.
k) Direct and guide the transfer of forests, leasing of forests, recovery of forests, change of forest land use purposes; establish and manage files for the transfer and leasing of forests and lands for planting forests; guide zoning and shifting cultivation production; direct, guide, and inspect the implementation of management and protection systems for rare, precious, and endangered forest plants and animals as specified in the list;
l) Uniformly direct the professional and operational activities of forest rangers; mobilize forest ranger forces when necessary; direct and organize the provision of weapons, support tools, specialized equipment, uniforms, and identification cards for forest rangers at all levels as prescribed; inspect and direct the inspection of forest ranger activities;
m) Take the lead in implementing the National Program to Combat Desertification;
n) Direct the forecasting of forest fire risks, forest pest risks, and other disasters affecting forests; request the Chairperson of the People's Committee of the province, relevant ministries, sectors, and social organizations to mobilize forces and means when large-scale forest fires occur; direct, guide measures to prevent, control, and mitigate the consequences of forest fires, forest pests, and illegal logging in key areas and disaster-prone regions;
7. Regarding salt industry:
a) Direct and guide the implementation of mechanisms and policies for salt industry development after being decided by the competent authority;
b) Publicize and organize direction, guidance, inspection, evaluation, and reporting on the implementation of strategies, plans, and programs for salt industry development approved nationwide;
c) Direct technical production, harvesting, and annual production plan summary and evaluation;
d) Issue and inspect the implementation of national technical standards and procedures for salt production, processing, and preservation, and salt products;
8. Regarding Fisheries:
a) Direct and guide the implementation of mechanisms and policies for fisheries development after being decided by the competent authority;
b) Direct and guide the implementation of criteria for classifying species conservation areas, habitats, and natural resource reserves;分级管理国家级和国际级保护区域的级别;在获得有权机关决定后,规定关于开发、保护和利用水生资源的管理制度;
c) Publicize and organize direction, guidance, inspection, evaluation, and reporting on the implementation of strategies, plans, and programs for fisheries development approved nationwide;
d) Guide and inspect the implementation of plans for the exploitation, protection, and development of fishery resources in provinces and centrally-administered cities; specify criteria for classifying species conservation areas, habitats, and natural resource reserves; guide the classification and management regulations for nationally and internationally significant protected areas;
e) Direct the implementation of aquaculture according to planning and plans. Specify regulations on the export and import of aquatic seedlings, translocation, domestication, conservation, selection, creation, recognition of new breeds, production, and trade of seedlings; issue national technical standards and inspect seedling quality; establish and manage the seedling system, register national seedlings;
f) Announce the list and national technical standards for feed and raw materials for aquaculture; drugs and chemicals used in aquaculture that belong to the list of specialized aquatic products for export and import; specify national technical standards for veterinary hygiene and environmental protection in aquaculture; announce the list of drugs and chemicals allowed or prohibited, restricted for use in aquaculture;
g) Announce the list of aquatic species banned from exploitation and the prohibition period; methods of exploitation, types of fishing, and fishing gear prohibited or restricted from use; minimum size and species of aquatic species permitted to be exploited, fishing seasons; areas and zones prohibited from exploitation; aquatic species banned from import and export;
h) Specify the list of aquatic species requiring conservation and protection, and those needing regeneration; measures to protect aquatic ecosystem environments, conserve genetic funds, and maintain biodiversity in aquaculture;
i) Guide the exploitation activities of Vietnamese organizations and individuals, foreign organizations and individuals on land, islands, inland waters, territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; classify the management levels and fishing grounds;
k) Organize direction, guidance, and inspection of the implementation of approved regulations on the分级授权渔业捕捞许可证的发放和回收权限。规定渔业捕捞许可证的发放和回收程序,并组织实施;
l) Issue national technical standards for the quality, safety technology, and environmental protection of fishing vessels; specify the positions of crew members on fishing vessels, registration and issuance of crew member certificates, issuance of captain and chief engineer certificates for fishing vessels;
m) Issue management regulations for fishing ports, wharfs, anchorage areas for typhoon shelters for fishing vessels, develop mechanical fishing industries, produce fishing gear, nets, build, repair, and modify fishing vessels, develop primary wholesale seafood markets according to approved plans;
n) Issue, monitor, and inspect the implementation of national technical standards, procedures, and economic-technical norms for construction and protection of aquaculture facilities, fishing ports, fish markets, anchorage areas for typhoon shelters for fishing vessels; production bases for aquaculture feed, processing facilities for aquatic products, mechanical facilities for building and repairing fishing vessels;
o) Decide on investment in the construction, repair, and upgrading of aquaculture facilities, fishing ports, fish markets, anchorage areas for typhoon shelters for fishing vessels from state budget funds allocated through the Ministry;
9. Regarding Water Conservancy:
a) Direct and guide the implementation of legal normative documents on water conservancy and dyke management; prevention and mitigation of damage caused by water and salinity intrusion after being issued by the competent authority;
b) Direct and guide the implementation of water conservancy strategies and plans; disaster prevention and mitigation strategies after being approved by the Prime Minister;
c) Lead the development of water conservancy plans for regions and reservoirs serving agriculture and multiple purposes, integrated with various socio-economic sectors;
d) Approve planning for dyke systems and water conservancy projects involving two or more provinces to serve flood prevention, drought prevention, drainage, water supply, saline intrusion prevention, land improvement, bank erosion prevention along rivers and coasts, and rural water supply and drainage;
đ) Publicize and organize the direction, guidance, inspection, evaluation, and consolidation of reports on the implementation of strategies, plans, and water conservancy development programs approved nationwide;
e) Propose to the Prime Minister and organize the mobilization of materials and equipment to prevent, combat, and mitigate the consequences of floods, droughts, inundations, and other damages caused by water; direct the distribution of floodwaters, delay of floods, and operation of large water storage reservoirs according to assigned responsibilities;
g) Guide the classification of provincial People's Committees to approve water conservancy planning, dyke planning, and flood prevention planning within their respective provinces;
h) Issue, monitor, and inspect the implementation of national technical standards, procedures, and economic-technical norms regarding construction, operation, and protection of water conservancy works, dykes, flood prevention, typhoon prevention, inundation prevention, drought prevention, and rural water supply and drainage;
i) Specify permissible load limits and licensing requirements for vehicles traveling on dykes; guide provincial People's Committees in issuing, revoking, and renewing permits within the scope of protecting water conservancy works;
k) Organize direction, guidance, and inspection of specific regulations concerning emergency situations requiring floodwater distribution, flood delay, safe relocation measures, ensuring production and livelihoods of residents, mitigating flood aftermath, providing relief to affected areas due to flood distribution and delay; preventive measures against natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, droughts, flash floods, landslides, saline intrusion, and tsunamis;
l) Decide on investment in construction, repair, upgrading, and reinforcement of dykes and water conservancy works within the scope of the country from state budget funds allocated through the Ministry;
10. Regarding rural development:
a) Serve as the main coordinator in presenting mechanisms and policies for rural development to the Government; mechanisms, policies, and division of responsibilities for reviewing programs and projects related to rural resettlement to the Government;
b) Consolidate and present to the Prime Minister for approval the plan to adjust the economic structure and comprehensive program for rural development; strategy for developing rural industries and crafts linked with households and cooperatives; direct, guide, and inspect the implementation of strategies, plans, and programs after approval;
c) Consolidate and propose mechanisms and policies to encourage and support household economy, farmstead economy, cooperative economy, and agricultural, forestry, fishery, and salt industry cooperatives linked with rural industries and crafts at the commune level;
d) Direct and inspect the implementation of land allocation, resettlement, and rehousing in agriculture and rural areas according to national socio-economic development planning;
đ) Direct the management of programs and projects or components of programs and projects aimed at poverty reduction and new rural construction according to the Government's assignment;
e) Coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities to guide the construction of residential areas; implement rural infrastructure construction programs according to the Government's assignment;
11. Direct the implementation, consolidation, and management of investment programs and important national works in fields under the Ministry's jurisdiction according to the Government's classification; build and manage basic survey results and data banks for fields under the Ministry's administrative supervision;
12. Regarding processing, preservation, transportation, and trade of agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, and salt:
a) Direct and guide the implementation of planning, programs, mechanisms, and policies for the development of processing industries linked with production and markets in fields under the Ministry's jurisdiction; policies for the development of agricultural machinery, rural industries, and crafts linked with households and cooperatives after approval by competent authorities;
b) Direct, guide, inspect, and evaluate the development of processing industries for goods and fields under the Ministry's jurisdiction, including post-harvest preservation, rural industries, and crafts;
c) Issue national technical standards for food safety and environmental hygiene from cultivation, harvesting, processing, preservation, transportation to when agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, and salt are brought to market;
d) Issue national technical standards, technical regulations, and publish lists of additives and chemicals allowed for use in preserving raw materials and products of agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, and salt;
đ) Guide the transportation, export, and import of goods under specialized agricultural, forestry, aquatic, and salt industry management;
13. Manage national reserves of crop seeds, livestock breeds, plant protection chemicals, veterinary drugs, and other goods according to the Government's assignment;
14. Direct scientific research and agricultural extension activities in fields of crop cultivation, animal husbandry, forestry, aquaculture, salt-making, processing, and preservation of agricultural and forestry products, salt, and rural industries;
15. Regarding quality and food safety management for agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, and salt:
a) Guide and implement the application of food safety management systems: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP), Code of Conduct (CoC), Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point/Risk Management (HACCP/RM) in production, processing, and transportation;
b) Direct the monitoring and testing of antibiotic residues, harmful chemicals, and disease-causing agents in agricultural, forestry, salt, and aquatic products before harvest during preliminary processing, preservation, processing, and transportation; control slaughter and veterinary hygiene.
c) Issue regulations and technical standards concerning the quality and safety of food, disease safety, and environmental safety during production, preservation, processing, and prior to circulation on the market;
d) Direct the inspection, recognition, and revocation of recognition of conditions ensuring food safety for aquaculture facilities, harvesting, purchasing, transportation, storage, preliminary processing, and processing of agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, and salt;
đ) Direct the organization and implementation of certification regarding the quality and food safety for imported agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, and salt, and domestically produced products intended for processing and export within the scope of management under the Ministry;
e) Direct and inspect the issuance of health certificates for consignments (live animals or animal and plant products at risk of carrying pathogens) for export, import for breeding, processing, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, transshipment, transit through Vietnam's territory, and internal transfer; inspect the importation or domestic production of feed, veterinary drugs, fertilizers, chemicals used in livestock farming, crop cultivation, forestry, aquaculture, and salt according to the division of responsibilities;
16. Regarding environmental protection in agriculture and rural areas: direct, guide, and inspect the implementation of laws on environmental protection and other relevant legal provisions concerning the production, import, and use of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural waste; the management of genetically modified crop and animal seeds and their products; systems of dykes, irrigation, forest conservation areas, and clean water supply for rural life; activities related to aquaculture, fishing, and processing of aquatic products; genetically modified aquatic organisms and their products; marine conservation areas;
17. Direct, guide, and organize the implementation of trade promotion activities in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management;
18. Manage the registration and inspection of fishing vessels and technical safety testing of machines, equipment, materials, and substances requiring strict labor safety standards in activities under the Ministry’s management according to the law;
19. Implement international cooperation in agriculture, forestry, salt industry, fisheries, irrigation, and rural development according to the law;
20. Decide and direct the implementation of the Ministry’s administrative reform program according to the goals and content of the State administrative reform program approved by the Prime Minister;
21. Regarding the representation of state ownership interests in state-owned enterprises with state capital:
a) Develop restructuring plans, organizational reforms, and ownership conversion proposals to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval and direct the implementation of these plans after approval;
b) Submit to the Prime Minister for appointment or removal, within the authority, of leadership positions and chief accountants of state-owned enterprises that have not been privatized according to regulations;
c) Approve, within the authority, or submit to the Prime Minister for approval the charter of organization and operation of state-owned enterprises that have not been privatized according to regulations;
22. Regarding state management of organizations providing public services in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management:
a) Submit to the Government for issuance of mechanisms and policies on the quality of public service provision; on socializing public service activities in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management;
b) Submit to the Prime Minister for planning the network of public service organizations; establishment conditions and criteria for state public service organizations in sectors and fields;
c) Issue national technical standards, economic-technical norms, procedures, and timeframes to ensure the provision of public services in sectors and fields within the authority;
d) Guide, create conditions, and support organizations providing public services to operate in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management according to the law;
23. Regarding state management of enterprises, cooperatives, and other forms of collective and private economies in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management:
a) Propose mechanisms and policies to encourage, support, attract investment, and guide the development of enterprises; state agricultural, forestry, fishery farms; household economy, ranches; cooperative economy; agricultural, forestry, fishery, salt industry cooperatives in rural areas in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management;
b) Guide and inspect compliance with business and service regulations with conditions as specified by the Government and handle violations within the authority;
c) Inspect, control, and handle environmental pollution, ecological environment protection, and occupational health and safety in agricultural, forestry, salt industry, fisheries, irrigation, and rural craft village activities;
d) Issue national technical standards in sectors and fields; inspect, audit, and handle within the authority violations of national technical standards on the quality of goods and services in agriculture, forestry, salt industry, fisheries, and irrigation according to the law;
24. Regarding state management of the activities of associations and non-governmental organizations in sectors and fields nationwide or across provinces:
a) Recognize the organizing committee for the establishment of associations and non-governmental organizations; provide written comments to the Ministry of Home Affairs on permission to establish, merge, split, or dissolve associations and non-governmental organizations operating in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management;
b) Guide and create conditions for associations and non-governmental organizations to participate in activities in sectors and fields under the Ministry’s management; organize consultations and incorporate suggestions and critiques from associations and non-governmental organizations to improve state management regulations on sectors and fields;
c) Inspect and audit the implementation of legal provisions concerning associations and non-governmental organizations operating within the industry and sector under the Ministry's administrative management; handle or recommend competent state authorities to handle violations of law by associations and non-governmental organizations according to the law.
25. Regarding civil servant grade management:
a) Organize examinations to promote grades for specialized civil servants from equivalent grades to equivalent senior specialist grades, and organize examinations to promote grades for specialized civil servants from principal grades to senior grades, in accordance with the law;
b) Issue professional standards for civil servant grades assigned and delegated to manage by the Ministry after receiving the review opinion of the Ministry of Home Affairs; establish professional standards for civil servant grades assigned and delegated to manage by the Ministry for the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue; issue specific professional standards for heads of specialized agencies under the provincial People's Committees and centrally-administered city People's Committees within the industry and sector managed by the Ministry.
26. Manage organizational structure and staffing; direct the implementation of salary systems and incentive policies, rewards, and disciplinary measures for cadres, civil servants, and public officials under the Ministry's management scope; train, develop, and build a cadre of public officials in agriculture, forestry, salt production, fisheries, irrigation, and rural development according to the law.
27. Conduct inspections, resolve complaints and denunciations, combat corruption and negative practices, and handle violations of law related to agriculture, forestry, salt production, fisheries, irrigation, and rural development according to the law.
28. Regarding financial and asset management:
a) Manage allocated finances and assets and implement the budget as prescribed by law;
b) Be allowed to retain not more than 10% of the total annual budget allocation to decide on expenditures within the specified limit for disaster prevention, mitigation, and other urgent tasks authorized by the Prime Minister.
29. National headquarters for flood and storm prevention and control; urgent issues in forest fire prevention and firefighting; combating desertification; national headquarters for managing international trade in endangered wild flora and fauna species according to the law.
30. Perform other tasks and powers assigned by the Government or the Prime Minister, or as prescribed by law;
Article 3. Organizational Structure
1. Department of Planning.
2. Department of Finance.
3. Department of Science, Technology and Environment.
4. International Cooperation Department.
7. Ministry Office;
6. Organization and Cadre Department.
7. The Ministry Inspectorate;
8. The Ministry Office;
9. Crop Production Department.
10. Plant Protection Department.
11. Livestock Service.
12. Animal Health Department.
13. The Processing, Trade Department of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Salt Industry.
14. The Forestry Department.
15. The Forest Protection Department.
16. The Fisheries Resource Exploitation and Conservation Department.
17. The Aquaculture Department.
18. The Irrigation Department.
19. The Dike Management and Flood and Storm Prevention Department.
20. The Construction Project Management Department.
21. The Cooperative Economy and Rural Development Department.
22. The Quality Control Department of Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Products.
23. The Information Technology and Statistics Center.
24. The National Clean Water and Rural Environmental Sanitation Center.
25. The National Agricultural and Fisheries Extension Center.
The Plant Protection Bureau is organized into an office, nine divisions, and nine branches;
The Livestock Breeding Bureau is organized into an office and seven divisions;
Units specified from Clause 1 to Clause 22 of this Article are organizations assisting the Minister in performing state management functions; units specified from Clause 23 to Clause 27 of this Article are subordinate public service organizations.
The Personnel Organization Department, Science, Technology, and Environment Department, and International Cooperation Department shall be organized into divisions.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall submit to the Prime Minister for issuance the list of other subordinate public service organizations.
Article 4. Effectiveness
1. This Decree takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette, replacing Government Decree No. 86/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2003, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Government Decree No. 43/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 2, 2003, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Fisheries.
Article 2. Abolish previous provisions that conflict with this Decree.
Article 5. Responsibility for Implementation
Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.