Decision No. 19/2008/QD-BNN on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Animal Health Department

Pursuant to …;

Regulations on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Animal Health Service

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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 19 of Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating 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 Animal Health Service is an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, performing the function of advising the Minister in managing state affairs in the veterinary sector and executing state management tasks within the scope of the Ministry's state management.

The Animal Health Service has legal personality, its own bank account and seal, and operates with funds allocated according to the law.

The headquarters of the Service is located in Hanoi City and it has a permanent office in Ho Chi Minh City.

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. Submit draft laws, ordinances, and specialized regulatory documents to the Ministry according to the annual legislative program of the Ministry and other projects and programs assigned by the Minister. Submit draft decisions, directives, and other documents within the Minister’s authority to the Minister.

2. Submit strategies, plans, and long-term, five-year, and annual development plans; regional strategic plans, inter-regional, and inter-provincial plans; and important programs, projects, and works within the scope of the Service’s management as assigned by the Minister.

3. Issue individual documents and provide professional guidance within the scope of the specialized field entrusted to the Service. Announce detailed implementation plans for programs, projects, and works managed by the Ministry for each locality and unit after the overall plan has been approved by the Ministry.

4. Submit to the Ministry for publication strategies, plans, and development programs and organize the direction, guidance, and inspection of the implementation of specialized legal regulations, strategies, plans, programs, projects, standards, technical norms, procedures, rules, and economic-technical quotas that have been approved; direct and organize the implementation of legal education and dissemination activities related to the specialized field under the Service’s management.

5. Regarding animal disease prevention and control (including aquatic animals):

a) Submit to the Minister for approval the list of diseases requiring epidemic declaration; the list of dangerous animal diseases, the list of diseases requiring mandatory preventive measures; the list of diseases requiring regular inspections and the list of diseases prohibiting the slaughter of diseased animals during specific periods; decide on declaring epidemics, new dangerous animal diseases appearing in Vietnam, regions affected by two or more provinces, threatened areas, buffer zones, and mandatory preventive measures for animals and the handling of diseased animals, products, disinfection, and sterilization. Declare the end of epidemics, revoke declarations of epidemic-affected regions, threatened areas, buffer zones, and new animal diseases.

b) Specify conditions and procedures for recognizing safe disease areas and facilities based on the Minister's authorization;

c) Direct, guide, inspect, supervise, and implement animal disease prevention and control measures; restore the environment after controlling animal diseases; investigate, monitor, and detect animal diseases. Direct, inspect, and compile reports on the implementation of the National Program for Controlling and Eradicating Animal Diseases;

d) Forecast animal disease situations and zoonotic diseases. Guide and recommend competent authorities to issue measures for preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases;

đ) Plan, classify, and guide the implementation of animal disease diagnosis and testing. Direct and organize the implementation of animal disease diagnosis;

e) Guide, inspect, and supervise the construction of safe disease areas and facilities; review and revoke recognition of safe disease areas and facilities within their authority;

g) Regularly inspect animal diseases and veterinary hygiene at centrally-managed breeding facilities and national breeding centers;

h) Participate in regional and international animal disease prevention and control programs as directed by the Ministry. Fulfill information and reporting obligations regarding animal diseases to international organizations and relevant countries.

6. Regarding animal quarantine (including aquatic animals):

a) Issue lists of animals and animal products subject to quarantine; lists of animals and animal products requiring quarantine and quarantine procedures and processes according to the Minister's authorization;

b) Direct, guide, inspect, and supervise animal and animal product quarantine at border gates, railway stations, airports, ports, post offices, and domestic transportation according to the Ministry's classification;

c) Implement land-based export, import, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, transfer of customs checkpoints, and transit through Vietnam's territory for animals and animal products;

d) Control exports, imports, temporary imports for re-export, temporary exports for re-import, transfers of customs checkpoints, and transits through Vietnam's territory for animals and animal products via border gates, railway stations, airports, ports, and post offices according to Vietnamese law, international organization regulations, or bilateral agreements with importing countries;

đ) Manage uniforms, quarantine uniforms, and animal quarantine document templates according to regulations.

7. Regarding animal slaughter control and veterinary hygiene inspection (including aquatic animals):

a) Lead the drafting and submission to the Ministry of national technical standards for veterinary hygiene;

b) Issue regulations on the procedures and processes for slaughter control, slaughter control stamps, and veterinary hygiene inspection seals;List objects for veterinary hygiene inspection, objects requiring veterinary hygiene inspection, and objects mandatorily applying national technical standards for veterinary hygiene during specific periods andprocedures and processes for veterinary hygiene inspection according to the Minister's authorization; the procedure and process for veterinary hygiene inspection pursuant to the delegation of the Minister;

c) Direct, guide, inspect and implement legal provisions on animal slaughter control; inspect veterinary hygiene for animals and animal products (including determining microbial factors, parasites; physical, chemical factors and residues);

d) Inspect veterinary hygiene conditions at breeding facilities, production, trading establishments for animal breeds, concentration sites, isolation sites, animal slaughter facilities and initial processing facilities for export animal products within their jurisdiction as prescribed by law;

đ) Propose and direct the implementation of measures to handle animals, animal products, transportation means, containers for animals and animal products that do not meet veterinary hygiene standards; 4 |||

e) Implement animal slaughter control and inspect veterinary hygiene conditions at animal slaughter facilities and initial processing facilities for export animal products;

8. On veterinary drug management (including aquatic products):

a) Lead in drafting and submitting national technical regulations on veterinary drugs to the Ministry; announce the list of permitted, restricted, and prohibited veterinary drugs according to legal provisions; b) Specify research, testing, trial procedures, registration formalities, recognition of veterinary drugs, biological preparations, microorganisms, chemicals used in veterinary medicine produced and circulated in Vietnam;

c) Allow the importation of veterinary drugs and vaccines not included in the list of permitted circulation in Vietnam according to regulations and authorization from the Minister; d) Guide and resolve registration for circulation, export, import, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, port transfer, transit, production, trial production, processing, repackaging of veterinary drugs (including aquatic veterinary drugs); raw materials for veterinary drugs; biological preparations; microorganisms; products for environmental treatment and chemicals used in veterinary medicine (hereinafter referred to collectively as veterinary drugs); đ) Guide, inspect, supervise and implement testing, trials, field trials, quality inspections of veterinary drugs according to legal provisions;e) Direct, guide, inspect the implementation of legal provisions on professional practice certificates, business conditions for veterinary drugs, and the destruction or return to the place of origin. Inspect and issue certificates confirming compliance with production and business conditions for veterinary drugs according to legal provisions; f) Inspect and monitor the export, import, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, port transfer, transit, production, trial production, processing, repackaging, circulation, trade, and use of veterinary drugs;

g) Inspect the use of supplementary veterinary drugs in livestock feed;

h) Submit to the Ministry proposals for establishing and using the national reserve of veterinary drugs. Guide the establishment of local reserves of veterinary drugs, management systems, and usage methods for veterinary drug reserves at provincial level according to the Minister's assignment;

9. Issue, revoke various certificates, licenses, professional practice certificates related to veterinary medicine according to the Ministry's classification;

10. Propose to the Ministry a list of investment programs and projects in veterinary medicine. Lead in reviewing and implementing the role of principal investor for programs and projects assigned by the Ministry;

11. Organize and direct the investigation, statistics, and management of databases on veterinary matters according to regulations;

h12. On science and technology:

a) Propose and submit to the Ministry scientific research programs, plans, topics; application of technological progress and specialized techniques;

b) Lead in reviewing project outlines, research topics; commissioning organizations and individuals to carry out; accepting, managing results, and directing the implementation and application of technological progress and techniques under the Bureau's management;

11. c) Manage scientific and technological information and specialized databases;

d) Participate in drafting national standards and national technical regulations within the scope of the Ministry's state management according to the Minister's assignment;

13. Direct the implementation of agricultural extension activities in the veterinary sector according to the Minister's assignment;

a) Draft and submit to the Ministry international cooperation programs and projects in specialized fields under the Bureau's management; participate in negotiations to sign and join international treaties and international organizations in veterinary medicine according to the Minister's assignment;

b) Organize the implementation of international cooperation, international funded programs and projects according to the Minister's classification;

15. On administrative reform:

a) Draft and organize the implementation of administrative reform plans according to the Ministry's plan and the Minister's directives;

14. Regarding international cooperation:

b) Direct the review, systematization, and proposal for building the institutional and legal system for sectors and fields under the Bureau's management;

c) Direct the improvement of functions, tasks, and authorities of subordinate organizations under the Bureau towards division and decentralization; submit to the Ministry for decentralizing state management tasks and fields to local governments;

d) Direct the implementation of regulations on self-management, self-responsibility for performing tasks, organizational structure, staffing, finance, and administrative procedure reform, work method innovation, office modernization, and information technology application to serve Bureau operations;

16. On state management of organizations providing public services in sectors and fields under the Bureau's management:

a) Submit to the Ministry mechanisms, policies, technical standards for public service provision; socialization of public service activities in sectors and fields;

b) Issue economic-technical norms and timeframes for providing public services in sectors and fields;

c) Guide, inspect, and support organizations providing public services in sectors and fields according to legal provisions;

17. On state management of the activities of associations and non-governmental organizations in sectors and fields under the Bureau's management according to the Minister's assignment:

a) Guide and create favorable conditions for associations and non-governmental organizations to participate in activities in sectors and fields under the Bureau's management; organize feedback and incorporate suggestions and critiques from associations and non-governmental organizations to improve state management regulations in sectors and fields;

b) Issuing economic-technical norms and timeframes for providing public services within the sector and field;

c) Directing, inspecting, and supporting organizations implementing public services in the sector and field in accordance with the provisions of the law;

17. Regarding state management over the activities of associations and non-governmental organizations under the jurisdiction of the Bureau as assigned by the Minister:

a) Providing guidance and creating conditions for associations and non-governmental organizations to participate in activities within the sector and field under the Bureau's jurisdiction; organizing the collection of opinions and adoption of suggestions and critiques from associations and non-governmental organizations to improve state management regulations in the sector and field;

b) Recommend the handling of legal violations by associations and non-governmental organizations operating within the industry or sector.

18. Regarding organizational structure, staffing, and civil servants:

a) Draft the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Bureau; propose the establishment and restructuring of subordinate organizations under the Bureau;

b) Decide on the establishment of the Bureau's working group; specify the autonomy responsibilities, charter, and operation regulations for state-run public service organizations under the Bureau according to regulations;

c) Submit to the Ministry the annual staffing plan of the Bureau; decide on the allocation of administrative staffing for agencies under the Bureau;

d) Decide on sending civil servants, officials, and employees to study or work abroad according to the Ministry's cadre management hierarchy;

đ) Define the authority and responsibility of heads of organizations under the Bureau;

e) Implement specific measures to strengthen administrative discipline and anti-corruption, thrift, and bureaucratic practices within units under the Bureau;

g) Submit to the Ministry and implement after approval the training, recruitment, employment, transfer, retirement, salary system, rewards, disciplinary actions, and other systems for cadres, civil servants, and employees under the Bureau's management according to laws and the Ministry's hierarchy; provide specialized professional training according to the Ministry's assignment;

h) Participate in establishing professional standards for civil servant and employee ranks within the industry or sector according to the Minister's assignment;

i) Report on the implementation of organizational and personnel work and staffing according to regulations.

19. Regarding inspection and supervision:

a) Guide and inspect the implementation of policies and laws related to the industry or sector under the Bureau's management according to regulations;

b) Resolve or participate in resolving complaints, petitions, and recommendations from organizations and citizens related to the industry or sector managed by the Bureau; organize citizen reception according to legal provisions;

c) Inspect and supervise the implementation of delegated management in the industry or sector under the Bureau's management. Conduct specialized inspections and handle violations according to legal provisions;

d) Issue and manage the use of uniforms, insignia, badges, and inspection signs for inspectors according to regulations.

20. Regarding financial management and assets:

a) Submit to the Ministry the annual budget estimate and medium-term budget plan of the Bureau;

b) Be responsible for settling accounts for funds directly managed by the Bureau; manage and be responsible for state assets assigned to the Bureau according to the Minister's hierarchy and legal provisions;

c) Organize the management of fee and tax collection and usage according to legal provisions.

21. Perform other tasks as stipulated by specialized laws and the Minister's assignments and delegations.

Article 3. Organizational Structure

1. Bureau Leadership:

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

The Director oversees the Bureau's operations, is accountable to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and to the law regarding the Bureau's activities.

Deputy Directors assist the Director in overseeing certain aspects of work according to the Director's assignment and are accountable to the Director and to the law regarding their assigned tasks.

2. Management Structure:

a) Animal Health Department;

b) Animal Quarantine Department;

c) Veterinary Drug Management Department;

d) Planning Department;

đ) Finance Department;

e) Bureau Inspectorate;

g) Bureau Office;

h) Permanent Office in Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Subordinate Agencies:

a) Region I Animal Health Agency;

b) Region II Animal Health Agency;

c) Region III Animal Health Agency;

d) Region IV Animal Health Agency;

đ) Region V Animal Health Agency;

e) Region VI Animal Health Agency;

g) Region VII Animal Health Agency;

h) Lang Son Animal Quarantine Branch;

i) Lao Cai Animal Quarantine Branch;

k) Quang Ninh Animal Quarantine Branch.

4. Public Service Units:

a) Central Animal Diagnosis Center;

b) Central I Veterinary Drug Testing Center;

c) Central II Veterinary Drug Testing Center;

d) Central I Veterinary Sanitation Inspection Center;

đ) Central II Veterinary Sanitation Inspection Center.

Subordinate agencies and units of the Animal Health Bureau specified in Clause 3 and 4 of this Article shall have seals, operational funds, and separate bank accounts according to regulations.

The Director of the Animal Health Bureau decides on the establishment of animal quarantine stations and disease diagnostic testing stations under Clause 3 of this Article, defines their functions and tasks, appoints staff for subordinate agencies and units according to the Ministry's hierarchy, and issues the Bureau's operational regulations.

Article 4. Effective Date

This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Abolish Decision No. 89/2003/QĐ-BNN dated September 4, 2003, of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the functions, tasks, authorities, and organization of the Animal Health Bureau, and any previous regulations of the Ministry that conflict with this Decision.

Article 5. Responsibility for Implementation

The Director of the Animal Health Bureau, the Head of the Bureau Office, Department Heads, Bureau Directors, the Inspector General of the Ministry, and the Heads of relevant agencies and units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.