Circular No. 11/2017/TT-BNNPTNT Amending and supplementing certain provisions of consolidated legal documents related to the functions and tasks of units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

 CIRCULAR

AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE FUNCTIONS AND TASKS OF UNITS UNDER THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Legal Department and the Director of the Organization and Cadre Department;

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issues this Circular amending and supplementing certain provisions of legal documents related to the functions and tasks of units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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Pursuant to Decree No.15/2017/NĐ-CPdated February 17, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Article 1. Replace the phrase "General Directorate of Processing and Salt Industry" with the phrase "General Directorate of Cooperative and Rural Development" in Section 2, Part IV of Circular No. 116/2006/TT-BNN dated December 18, 2006 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the implementation of certain contents of Decree No. 66/2006/NĐ-CP dated July 7, 2006 of the Government on rural industry development.

Article 2. Amend certain provisions on management, issuance, and issuance of permits for vehicles allowed to travel on dikes; inspection dike vehicles; dike guard vehicles, emergency vehicles for flood and storm prevention issued together with Decision No. 92/2008/QĐ-BNN dated September 17, 2008 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

1. Replace the phrase "Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention" with the phrase "Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control"; replace the phrase "Flood and Storm Prevention Command" with the phrase "Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command" in Article 1.2. Replace the phrase "General Directorate of Dike Management and Flood and Storm Prevention" with the phrase "General Department of Disaster Prevention and Control" in Articles 2 and 3.3. Replace the phrase "CENTRAL FLOOD AND STORM PREVENTION" with the phrase "CC-DISASTER PREVENTION AND CONTROL"; replace the phrase "PROVINCE (CITY) FLOOD AND STORM PREVENTION" with the phrase "PROVINCE (CITY) DISASTER PREVENTION AND CONTROL" in Article 3.Article 3. Amend, supplement, and abolish certain provisions of Circular No. 25/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated April 8, 2010 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the inspection of food safety for imported goods of animal origin:

1. Amend Clause 1 of Article 8 as follows:"1. The inspection agency in the exporting country is the Animal Health Service."2. Amend Clause 3 of Article 8 as follows:

"3. The inspection agency at the consolidation site and issuing certificate or notification on food safety quality: Units under the Animal Health Service or authorized by the Animal Health Service."

3. Replace the phrase "General Directorate of Quality Control of Forestry, Agricultural Products, and Aquatic Products" with the phrase "Animal Health Service" in the first paragraph of Article 9; Clause 1, Clause 2 of Article 13.

4. Amend Article 10 as follows:

Article 10. Review of registration dossierWithin thirty working days from the date of receipt of the complete registration dossier of production and business establishments from the competent authority of the exporting country, the Animal Health Service shall review the dossier, notify the competent authority of the exporting country of the review results, and plan inspections if necessary for inspections in the exporting country entering Vietnam.5. Amend Clause 1 of Article 20 as follows:

"1. Inspection expenses in the exporting country: Inspection expenses in the exporting country shall be funded by the state budget. The Animal Health Service is responsible for preparing plans and budgets for annual inspections in the exporting country and submitting them for approval by the competent authority."

6. Amend Article 21 as follows:

2. Amend Clause 3 of Article 8 as follows:

“3. The inspection agency at the place of concentration and issuing the certificate or notification on the quality of food safety: Units under the Animal Health Department or authorized by the Animal Health Department.”

3. Replace the phrase “Animal Health Quality Management Department for Forestry, Agriculture and Aquatic Products” with the phrase “Animal Health Department” in the first paragraph of Article 9; Clause 1, Clause 2 of Article 13.

4. Amend Article 10 as follows:

“Article 10. Review of registration files

Within thirty working days from the date of receipt of complete registration files of the list of production and business establishments from the competent authority of the exporting country, the Animal Health Department shall conduct the review of the files, notify the Competent Authority of the exporting country of the results of the review and the plan for inspection if necessary to carry out inspections against the exporting country entering Vietnam.”

5. Amend Clause 1 of Article 20 as follows:

“1. Inspection expenses in the exporting country: Inspection expenses in the exporting country shall be funded from the state budget. The Animal Health Department shall be responsible for developing plans and budget estimates for annual inspections in the exporting country to be submitted for approval by the competent authority.”

6. Amend Article 21 as follows:

“Article 21. Department of Animal Health

1. The focal point for receiving documents regarding the conditions to ensure food safety and hygiene (VSATTP) for production and business establishments registered for exporting animal-origin products into Vietnam from the competent authority of the exporting country; exchanging information and agreeing on inspection plans with the competent authority of the exporting country and submitting to the Ministry for issuance of a decision to establish an inspection team of Vietnam to conduct inspections in the exporting country.

2. Implementing the publication of lists of production and business establishments (of the exporting country) meeting the conditions to ensure VSATTP for exporting animal-origin products into Vietnam; production and business establishments suspended from exporting products into Vietnam; warning information to the competent authority of the exporting country about shipments not meeting VSATTP requirements and requesting investigation of causes and measures to address them.

3. Drafting questionnaires requesting the competent authority of the exporting country to provide answers and information before conducting inspections in the exporting country.

4. Developing plans, programs, and implementing inspections of the system for ensuring VSATTP and production and business establishments producing animal-origin aquatic products in the exporting country.

5. Directing and supervising subordinate units in activities related to inspecting VSATTP and issuing certificates of compliance with VSATTP requirements or notifying cases where imported shipments do not meet VSATTP requirements.

6. Organizing the tracing of causes of animal-origin products imported for food use that do not meet VSATTP requirements.

7. Directing subordinate units, according to their assigned tasks, to coordinate with functional agencies in handling and monitoring the implementation process for cases not meeting VSATTP requirements.

8. Guiding provincial and municipal Livestock and Animal Health Services under the central government in carrying out inspections and supervision of VSATTP for imported animal-origin aquatic products circulating in their jurisdictions.

9. Annually, or at any time (when required), reporting to the Ministry on the situation of inspecting VSATTP for imported animal-origin products.

10. Annually, developing plans and budget estimates for implementing inspections of VSATTP for imported goods according to assigned tasks for non-fee-generating contents, submitting to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval and funding allocation.

7. Repealing Article 22.

8. Amending Clause 1 of Article 23 as follows:

"1. Directing provincial and municipal Livestock and Animal Health Services under the central government to carry out inspections and supervision of VSATTP for imported animal-origin products circulating in their jurisdictions according to the guidance of the Department of Animal Health."

9. Amending Clause 3 of Article 23 as follows:

"3. Annually, or at any time (when required), sending reports on the results of inspections and supervision of VSATTP for imported animal-origin products used as food to the Department of Animal Health for consolidation and reporting to the Ministry."

Article 4. Amending certain contents in Appendix 1 issued together with Circular No.63/2010/TT-BNNPTNTdated November 1, 2010 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the issuance of Free Circulation Certificates for products and goods exported and imported under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

1. Replacing the phrase "Plant Protection Bureau" with the phrase "Plant Protection Department" at item number 1, Section II of Appendix 1 - Management Authority for CFS of Exported and Imported Products and Goods.

2. Replacing the phrase "Processing, Marketing, Forestry, Aquatic Products and Salt Industry Bureau" with the phrase "Quality Control Department for Forestry, Agricultural and Aquatic Products" at item number 8, Section II of Appendix 1 - Management Authority for CFS of Exported and Imported Products and Goods.

3. Replacing the phrase "Processing, Marketing, Forestry, Aquatic Products and Salt Industry Bureau" with the phrase "Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development" at item number 3, Section III of Appendix 1 - Management Authority for CFS of Exported and Imported Products and Goods.

Article 5. Amend and supplement some articles of Circular No. 16/2011/TT-BNNPTNT dated April 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the evaluation, designation, and management of agricultural and rural development laboratories:

1. Amending and supplementing Clause 3 as follows:

"Article 3. Evaluation and designation agencies

1. The Forest Protection Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for forestry plant varieties, wood, wood products, and non-timber forest products; chemical additives used in processing and preserving forest products.

2. The Water Resources Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for water conservancy works and water supply and drainage systems.

3. The Disaster Prevention and Control Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for dike and flood control works.

4. The Fisheries Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for aquaculture seedlings; aquafeed, raw materials for aquafeed production, feed additives, biological preparations, water quality for aquaculture, chemicals for treating aquaculture environments.

5. The Crop Production Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for agricultural crop seedlings, soil; planting environment; organic farming.

6. The Livestock Production Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for livestock seedlings; organic livestock breeding; livestock feed and raw materials for livestock feed production, preservatives used in livestock feed, biological preparations serving livestock breeding, and livestock breeding environment.

7. The Plant Protection Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for plant quarantine, plant protection chemicals, residues of plant protection chemicals in agricultural and forestry products; fertilizers, raw materials for fertilizer production, biological preparations serving planting; food safety within the scope managed by the Department as prescribed by law.

8. The Animal Health Department shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for animal diseases, veterinary drugs and raw materials for veterinary drug production, and food safety within the scope managed by the Department as prescribed by law.

9. The Department of Cooperative and Rural Economic Development shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for salt and salt products; agricultural machinery and equipment.

10. The Department of Quality Assurance for Agricultural and Forestry Products and Aquatic Products shall be the agency for evaluating and designating laboratories for the quality and safety of agricultural and forestry products, aquatic products within its scope of management; evaluating and designating multi-sector laboratories (from two sectors or more)."

2. Amend Article 7 as follows:

“Article 7. Method of designation

Based on the evaluation report and the minutes of the review of the evaluation results, the agencies specified in Article 3 of this Circular shall issue decisions to designate laboratories and report the results to the Ministry (Department of Science, Technology and Environment).”

Article 6. Amend some articles of Circular No. 46/2011/TT-BNNPTNT dated June 27, 2011 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the procedures for approving and reviewing activities related to dike and flood control works:1. Replace the phrase “Water Resources Department” with the phrase “Disaster Prevention and Control Department” in Clause 1 of Article 4.

2. Repeal Clause 2 of Article 4.

3. Replace the phrase “Water Resources Department” with the phrase “Disaster Prevention and Control Department” in Articles 5 and 6.

3. Replace the phrase “Water Resources General Department” with the phrase “Disaster Prevention and Control General Department” in Article 5, Article 6.

Article 7. Amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions of Circular No. 74/2011/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 31, 2011 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on traceability, recall, and handling of unsafe agricultural and forestry products: 1. Amending and supplementing Article 5 as follows:"Article 5. Inspection Authorities

1. Inspect compliance with regulations on traceability, recall, and handling of unsafe food at the following establishments:

a) Central level: the General Departments and specialized management agencies assigned and delegated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

b) Local level: specialized agencies assigned by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development according to the delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. Inspect implementation of traceability, recall, and handling of agricultural and forestry products that have been warned about food safety issues:

a) The Quality Control Department for Agricultural and Forestry Products and Aquatic Products shall inspect the implementation of traceability, recall, and handling of seafood that has been warned about food safety issues based on information from importing countries, from the inspection agencies mentioned in point a, Clause 1 of this Article, and from other warning sources.

b) The Plant Protection Department shall inspect the implementation of traceability, recall, and handling of plant-based food that has been warned about food safety issues based on information from importing countries, from the inspection agencies mentioned in point a, Clause 1 of this Article, and from other warning sources.

c) The Animal Health Department shall inspect the implementation of traceability, recall, and handling of animal-based food that has been warned about food safety issues based on information from importing countries, from the inspection agencies mentioned in point a, Clause 1 of this Article, and from other warning sources.

d) The Branch Quality Control Department for Agricultural and Forestry Products and Aquatic Products, the Branch Crop Production and Plant Protection Department, and the Branch Livestock Breeding and Animal Health Department shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect the implementation of traceability, recall, and handling of agricultural and forestry products that have been warned about food safety issues based on information from the inspection agencies mentioned in point b, Clause 1 of this Article, and from other local warning sources."

2. Abolishing Article 11.

3. Amending Article 12 as follows:

Article 12. General Departments and Specialized Agencies

1. Inspect compliance and implementation of regulations on traceability, recall, and handling of unsafe food at agricultural and forestry product production and business establishments as stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular.

“ 2. Annually or at any time (when required), submit reports on the results of inspections of compliance and implementation of regulations on traceability, recall, and handling of unsafe products at establishments under their jurisdiction to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (through the Quality Control Department for Agricultural and Forestry Products and Aquatic Products).

"3. Annually or when required, report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development the results of implementing tasks in their respective fields in the locality as assigned in points a, b, and c, Clause 2, Article 5 of this Circular."

Article 8. Abolishing Clause 3, Article 1 of Circular No. 52/2012/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 22, 2012 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circulars No.dated April 1, 2011 and No.

4. Amend Clause 3, Article 13 as follows:

54/2011/TT-BNNPTNT

dated August 3, 2011.Clause 3 of Article 1 of Circular No. 52/2012/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 22, 2012 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No.16/2011/TT-BNNPTNT dated April 1, 2011 and Circular No.54/2011/TT-BNNPTNT dated August 3, 2011.

Article 9. Amending and supplementingArticle 8 of Circular No. 55/2012/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 31, 2012 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding procedures for designating organizations to certify conformity and declare conformity within the scope of management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

"Article 8. Evaluation and designation agencies

1. The Fisheries General Department shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying aquaculture; aquatic seedlings; feed, raw materials for feed production, additives, biological preparations, water quality for aquaculture; aquaculture environment, breeding areas, feed production and trading establishments, biological preparation production and trading establishments for aquaculture, fishing vessels, fish ports, fishing vessel repair facilities.

2. The Forestry General Department shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying forestry tree seeds, processes, services, and forestry environments; additives and chemicals used in forest product processing and preservation.

3. The Water Resources General Department shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying water extraction and protection of irrigation systems, clean water supply systems, dam safety management, and water conservation.

4. The Disaster Prevention and Control General Department shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying dike and flood control.

5. The Quality Management Bureau of Agricultural, Forest, and Aquatic Products shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying food quality and safety, products and goods, production processes, and service provision within the scope of management of the Bureau and under the jurisdiction of two or more departments of the Ministry.

6. The Cooperative Economy and Rural Development Bureau shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying processes, services, and environments in salt production and salt product manufacturing; machinery and equipment in agriculture.

7. The Crop Production Bureau shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying agricultural crop seeds, soil; environments in crop production; organic farming.

8. The Plant Protection Bureau shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying plant quarantine, plant protection chemicals and raw materials; production, processing, bottling, packaging of plant protection chemicals, post-harvest treatment chemicals for agricultural and forest products; fertilizers, raw materials for fertilizer production, biological preparations for crop production; conditions ensuring food quality and safety for crop products.

9. The Livestock Production Bureau shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying livestock seeds, livestock feed and raw materials for feed production, biological preparations for livestock production; livestock feed production and trading; livestock breeding facilities; environments in livestock production; conditions ensuring food quality and safety for livestock products.

10. The Animal Health Bureau shall be the agency responsible for evaluation and designation of organizations certifying animal diseases, animal quarantine, veterinary drugs and raw materials, veterinary hygiene conditions, veterinary drug production and trading; food quality and safety, products and goods, production processes, and service provision within the scope of management of the Bureau."

Article 10. Replacing the phrase "Processing, Trade, and Salt Industry Bureau" with the phrase "Cooperative Economy and Rural Development Bureau" inArticle 12 of Circular No. 19/2013/TT-BNNPTNT dated March 15, 2013 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guides measures for energy conservation and efficiency in agricultural production.

Article 11. Replace the phrase "Department of Processing and Salt Industry" with the phrase "Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development" inClause 2, Article 3 of Circular No. 08/2014/TT-BNNPTNT dated March 20, 2014 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the implementation of certain provisions of Decision No.68/2013/QĐ-TTgdated November 14, 2013 of the Prime Minister on policies to support reducing losses in agriculture.

Article 12. Replace the phrase "Department of Processing and Salt Industry" with the phrase "Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development" inPoint d, Clause 1, Article 11; Clause 1, Clause 3, Article 16 of Circular No. 34/2014/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 31, 2014 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the inspection of imported salt quality.

Article 13. Replace the phrase "Crop Production Department" with the phrase "Plant Protection Department" in Circular No.41/2014/TT-BNNPTNTdated November 13, 2014 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding certain provisions of Decree No.202/2013/NĐ-CPdated November 27, 2013 of the Government on fertilizer management under the State management responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 14. Replace the phrase "Department of Processing and Salt Industry" with the phrase "Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development" inArticle 2, Article 4 of Circular No. 43/2014/TT-BNNPTNT dated November 18, 2014 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgating the list of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products, auxiliary products, and mechanical products for preservation and processing of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products supported under Decree No.210/2013/NĐ-CPdated December 19, 2013 of the Government.

Article 15. Amend certain articles of Circular No.04/2015/TT-BNNPTNTdated February 12, 2015 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the implementation of certain contents of Decree No.187/2013/NĐ-CPdated November 20, 2013 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law on Trade regarding international trade activities and agency, purchase, sale, processing, and transit goods with foreign countries in the field of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries:

1. Amend Clause 1, Article 28, Part 8 as follows:

“1. Documents:

a) Application for import of fertilizers according toForm No. 05a/BVTV attached hereto;

b) Technical declaration according toForm No. 06/BVTV issued together with this Circular;"

2. Amend Clause 3, Article 28, Part 8 as follows:

“3. Implementing agency: Plant Protection Department

- Address: No. 149, Ho Dac Di Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi;

- Telephone: 0438.518.194 Fax: 0435.330.043

- Email: [email protected]”

3. Replace the phrase "Form No. 05/TT" with the phrase "Form No. 05a/BVTV"; replace the phrase "Department of Crop Production / Department of Crop Production" with the phrase "Plant Protection Department / Plant Protection Department" in Form No. 05/TT: Application for Import of Fertilizers.

4. Replace the phrase "Form No. 06/TT" with the phrase "Form No. 06/BVTV".

Article 16. Amend, supplement, and abolish certain articles of Circular No.12/2015/TT-BNNPTNTdated March 16, 2015 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding food safety inspections of imported plant-origin goods:

1. Amend Clause 3, Article 7 as follows:

“3. Food safety inspection agency at the exporting country: The Plant Protection Department shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies.”

2. Amend Clause 2, Clause 3, Article 8 as follows:

“2. Inspection costs at the exporting country shall be covered by the state budget. The Plant Protection Department shall prepare the budget for inspection costs at the exporting country and submit it to the competent authority for approval.

3. Inspection supervision costs for products circulating in the market shall be covered by the state budget or from other legitimate sources.”

3. Replace the phrase "Quality Management Department of Agricultural, Forestry, and Aquatic Products" with the phrase "Plant Protection Department" in

Point a, Clause 1, Article 9, the first paragraph of Article 13.

“ Article 14. Examination of Registration Files

The Plant Protection Department shall conduct the examination of registration files as prescribed in Article 13 of this Circular and notify the results to the Competent Authority of the exporting country as follows:

1. In case the examination results show that the file fully complies with Vietnam's food safety regulations, the Plant Protection Department shall report to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for recognition and updating on the list of countries registered to export plant-based food products to Vietnam on the Plant Protection Department’s website (http://www.ppd.gov.vn).

2. In case the examination results show that the file does not fully comply with Vietnam's food safety regulations, the Plant Protection Department shall notify in writing the Competent Authority of the exporting country to request additional information to complete the file according to the regulations."

5. Amend Article 15 as follows:

“Article 15. Inspection at Exporting Countries

"1. When necessary, the Plant Protection Department shall develop an inspection plan; notify and coordinate with the Competent Authority of the exporting country to carry out inspections of the food safety control system and conditions ensuring food safety of production facilities exporting goods to Vietnam.

2. Within thirty working days from the end date of the inspection at the exporting country, the Plant Protection Department shall finalize the draft report on the inspection results and send it to the Competent Authority of the exporting country for comments within thirty days before officially announcing the inspection result report. The report shall clearly state specific reasons for cases where goods are not permitted to be exported to Vietnam if the inspection results do not meet all requirements as stipulated."

6. Amend Clause 3 of Article 21 as follows:

"3. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall decide to temporarily suspend imports or allow re-exportation of plant-based goods into Vietnam based on the proposal of the Director of the Plant Protection Department as follows:

a) The decision to temporarily suspend imports shall take effect sixty days from the date of issuance and shall be the final deadline for completing the food safety inspection procedures for imported consignments.

b) The decision to allow re-importation shall take effect from the date of issuance and shall be the start date for implementing the food safety inspection procedures for imported consignments.

Within three working days, the decision to temporarily suspend imports or allow re-importation of goods into Vietnam shall be notified to the Competent Authority on food safety of the exporting country and updated on the Plant Protection Department’s website (http://www.ppd.gov.vn)."

7. Amend Point d of Clause 1 of Article 22 as follows:

"Within one working day from the discovery of imported consignments violating food safety regulations, a notification shall be made to the Plant Protection Department for compilation and reporting to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;"

8. Amend Article 26 as follows:

“Article 26. Plant Protection Department

1. Receive registration files for export of goods to Vietnam from the Competent Authority of the exporting country; exchange information and notify the inspection plan (if necessary) with the Competent Authority of the exporting country and propose the Minister to issue a decision establishing the inspection team of Vietnam to inspect at the exporting country.

2. Propose the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to announce the list of countries recognized through mutual recognition assessments by Vietnam; announce the list of countries registered to export plant-based food products to Vietnam; decide on cases of temporarily suspending imports or allowing re-importation of plant-based goods into Vietnam. Notify the Competent Authority of the exporting country about non-compliant consignments and request cooperation in investigating the causes and proposing appropriate corrective measures.

3. Conduct inspections of the food safety control system and conditions ensuring food safety of production facilities at the exporting country.

4. Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to determine cases of imported goods seriously violating food safety regulations.

5. Organize the tracing, recall, and handling of imported consignments seriously violating food safety regulations.

6. Direct and supervise inspection agencies at border gates or collection points:

a) Carry out inspections of imported goods according to the inspection methods prescribed in this Circular;

b) Issue Food Safety Inspection Certificates, or notify cases where imported consignments do not meet food safety requirements as stipulated in Article 18 of this Circular;

c) Coordinate with relevant agencies to handle non-compliant consignments and monitor the implementation process.

7. Guide units assigned by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to perform inspection and supervision tasks for imported goods circulating in the market.

8. Timely report in writing to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the following cases:

a) Discovery of imported consignments violating food safety regulations to organize tracing, recall, and handling of seriously violating consignments and inform the Competent Authority of the exporting country.

b) Propose temporary suspension of imports of goods into Vietnam in cases as specified in point a of Clause 4 of Article 10 of this Circular.

9. Annually, or at any time (when required), report the situation of imported goods inspection to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

10. Annually, develop plans, budgets, and settle accounts for funds (provided by the State budget) for conducting food safety inspections of exporting countries and imported goods according to the division of labor for contents not subject to fees or charges; consolidate into the annual budget settlement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in accordance with the Law on State Budget and current guiding documents."

9. Repeal Article 27.

10. Amend Clause 2 of Article 28 as follows:

"2. Promptly notify the Plant Protection Department of cases where imported goods circulating in the area violate food safety regulations;"

11. Amend Clause 4 of Article 29 as follows:

"4. During the implementation, if there are difficulties, units shall report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (through the Plant Protection Department) for review, amendment, and supplementation."

Article 17. Amend certain Articles of Circular No. 49/2015/TT-BNNPTNT dated December 30, 2015 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the management of central agricultural extension tasks and projects:

1. Replace the phrase “Department of Science, Technology and Environment” with the phrase “National Agricultural Extension Center” in Article 10; Point d Clause 2 Article 11; Article 12; Point b Clause 1 Article 13; Points a, b, d Clause 2 Article 16.

2. Delete the phrase “(for projects led by organizations not directly under the Ministry)” in Point c Clause 1, Point a Clause 2 Article 13; Point a Clause 1 Article 14; Points a, d Clause 1 Article 16; Clause 1 Article 17.

3. Amend Article 15 as follows:

"Article 15. Project inspection

1. Inspection by the Ministry

a) The National Agricultural Extension Center shall take the lead and coordinate with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, the Finance Department, the General Department, the specialized Bureau to develop an inspection plan and conduct inspections according to the plan and current regulations. In cases where necessary, the National Agricultural Extension Center shall take the lead and coordinate with the aforementioned units to conduct surprise inspections;

b) The inspection team shall consist of representatives from the National Agricultural Extension Center serving as the Team Leader; other members include representatives from the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, the Finance Department, the General Department, the specialized Bureau, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at the location where the project is implemented;

c) Inspections shall be conducted at least once for each project during its implementation period;

d) At least five working days before conducting the inspection, the National Agricultural Extension Center shall notify the time and place of the inspection to the project leader and members of the inspection team. The project leader shall submit a progress report to the National Agricultural Extension Center via email address: [email protected].

2. The project leader shall self-inspect and evaluate the implementation of the project and submit a report on the results of the inspection directly or through postal service to the National Agricultural Extension Center within fifteen days from the date of inspection and evaluation."

4. Amend Point a Clause 1 Article 18 as follows:

"a) The focal point for state management of agricultural extension work;"

5. Amend Point d Clause 1 Article 18 as follows:

"d) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to build and submit to the Minister for approval the list of commissioned projects; review selected projects assigned directly; submit to the Minister for approval the list of projects and project budgets to be implemented; adjust, review and submit to the Minister for recognition the results of project implementation;"

6. Amend Point b Clause 4 Article 18 as follows:

"b) Coordinate with the General Department, the specialized Bureau, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment to build the list of commissioned projects; participate in reviewing selected projects assigned directly.

Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to organize bidding for projects, inspect and accept completed projects; directly implement projects assigned by the Ministry; manage projects led by organizations not directly under the Ministry in accordance with regulations;"

Article 18. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 18, 2017.

2. The provisions regarding the tasks of the General Department of Irrigation; the General Department of Flood and Storm Control Management stipulated in Article 2, Article 5, Article 6, Article 9 of this Circular shall take effect simultaneously with the effectiveness of the Prime Minister's Decision defining the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the General Department of Irrigation; the General Department of Flood and Storm Control Management.

Article 19. Responsibility for Implementation

The Director of the Office of the Ministry, Heads of the Legal Department, the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Heads of related units under the Ministry, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.