Decision No. 10/2008/QD-BNN stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Science, Technology, and Environment Department.

 Pursuant to …;

REGULATIONS ON THE FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;
Pursuant to Article 16 of Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies;
Considering the proposal of the Director of the Department of Personnel Organization,

DECISION:

Article 1. Position and Functions

The Science, Technology and Environment Department is the advisory and consolidating body assisting the Minister in performing state management functions in the agricultural and rural development sector regarding science, technology, and environment within the scope of the Ministry's state management.

b) Draft five-year and annual socio-economic development plans for the province; major economic and social balances for the province; draft five-year and annual plans, programs, projects, measures to organize and implement tasks related to socio-economic development, finance-budget, planning-investment, and other tasks within the scope of state management of the Department of Finance as prescribed by law;

1. To consolidate and submit to the Minister strategic plans, programs, and research plans in the fields of science, application of advanced techniques, technology transfer, national technical standards and regulations, environmental protection, intellectual property rights in the agricultural and rural development sector.

To be the focal point for implementing the Ministry’s state management functions in agricultural extension activities in the areas of crop cultivation, animal husbandry, forestry, aquaculture, irrigation, salt production, processing and preservation of forest and agricultural products, and rural industries; in the application of information technology in agriculture and rural development; and in reviewing environmental impact assessment reports of projects approved by the Ministry.

2. To take the lead in drafting, guiding implementation, and supervising compliance with regulatory legal documents on science, technology, and environmental management; national technical standards and regulations, intellectual property rights in the agricultural and rural development sector.

3. To take the lead in drafting and submitting to the Ministry for approval plans and programs for scientific and technological tasks and environmental management, enhancing scientific and technological capacity within the Ministry's scope of management; to coordinate with relevant agencies in managing national-level scientific and technological tasks and environmental management in the sector according to the law.

4. To take the lead in guiding, monitoring, and consolidating the review and recognition of new crop varieties, new livestock breeds, new specialized materials and equipment, new technological processes. To take the lead in reviewing industry laboratories, environmental treatment technologies and equipment. To take the lead in guiding the planning and implementation of environmental protection measures; strategic environmental assessments in the agricultural and rural development sector.

5. To serve as the permanent member of the Science and Technology Council, the Technical Improvement Initiative Council, the Science and Technology Award Council of the Ministry; to serve as the permanent member of the Priority Program for the Development and Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Rural Development until 2020, and the Project for the Development and Application of Biotechnology in Aquaculture until 2020.

6. To take the lead in guiding, monitoring, and consolidating activities related to environmental monitoring and warning, biodiversity conservation, biosafety, and gene funds concerning animals, plants, and microorganisms in agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture.

7. To take the lead in guiding, monitoring, and consolidating activities related to intellectual property rights (useful models, industrial designs, trademarks, plant variety protection, geographical indications...), innovations, and improvements in the agricultural and rural development sector according to the law.

8. To take the lead in guiding, monitoring, and consolidating the implementation and transfer of scientific and technological research results; publishing scientific and technological literature, exchanging samples and scientific and technological documents with foreign countries according to the law.

9. To participate in quality inspection of construction works and product quality checks, projects, and investment programs under the Ministry's jurisdiction according to the functions assigned by the Minister; to participate in technical and technological accident investigations and handling.

10. To participate in international cooperation activities in the field of science and technology in agriculture and rural development according to the Minister's assignment.

11. To participate in developing restructuring plans for the scientific and technological system and training; training, upgrading, and utilizing scientific personnel within the Ministry's jurisdiction.

12. To participate in reviewing, inspecting, and accepting basic investigation programs, planning, and investment projects in the agricultural and rural development sector according to the Minister's assignment.

13. To implement administrative reform contents according to the program, plan, and assignment of the Minister.

14. To manage the civil servant workforce, files, assets, and other resources assigned by the Minister.

15. To perform other tasks assigned by the Minister.

Article 3. Organizational Structure

1. Leadership of the Department:

The Department leadership consists of the Director and Deputy Directors appointed and relieved from duty by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development according to regulations.

The Director manages the Department's operations, is responsible to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the law for the Department's activities.

The Deputy Directors assist the Director in overseeing certain aspects of work according to the Director's assignment and are responsible to the Director and the law for the assigned tasks.

2. Specialized Professional Divisions:

a) Science Management Division;

b) Technology Management Division;

c) Environmental Management Division.

d) Consolidation Division.

The Heads and Deputy Heads of the Divisions mentioned in Clause 2 of this Article shall be appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development according to regulations.

The Director of the Science, Technology and Environment Department shall specify the functions and tasks of the Divisions according to the Ministry's classification; direct the drafting, approval, and implementation of the Department's working regulations; and allocate civil servants in accordance with their positions, standards, job descriptions, and assigned tasks.

Civil servants of the Department are responsible for performing the tasks assigned to them; they have obligations and rights as prescribed by law.

Article 4. Effective date

This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette. The Decision No. 83/2003/QĐ-BNN dated September 4, 2003 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Science and Technology Department and previous provisions contrary to this Decision are hereby abolished.

Article 5. Responsibilities for Implementation

The Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, the Director General of the Ministry's Office, the Heads of Departments, the Directors of Bureaus, the Inspector General of the Ministry, and the Heads of related agencies and units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.