Decision No. 201/QD-TTg on support policies to restore winter-spring rice cultivation season 2007-2008 and cattle breeding affected by severe cold in 2008.

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the policy to support the recovery of winter-spring rice cultivation 2007-2008 and livestock breeding of cattle affected by severe cold in 2008and

breeding of cattle and buffalosuffered damage due to the severe cold wave in 2008

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECISION:

Article 1. The State budget shall provide funding for purchasing rice seeds to recover winter-spring rice cultivation 2007-2008 and livestock breeding of cattle that were damaged due to the severe cold in 2008, specifically as follows:

1. Content of support:

a) Provide 50% of the cost of rice seeds according to the seed structure and planting season for winter-spring rice cultivation 2007-2008 in each locality;

b) Provide an average of VND 1 million per head of cattle, buffalo, calves, and young buffaloes that died due to the cold.

2. Source of funding for support: The central reserve will cover 30%, while the local reserve will cover 70% according to the levels of support specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Based on specific conditions and the budget capacity of each locality, the Chairman of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall decide to provide additional support beyond the level specified in Clause 1 of this Article for poor households and households in particularly difficult areas.

Article 2. Regarding loans for farmers

1. Suspend debt repayment for a period of 12 months for the outstanding balance as of February 29, 2008, for loans taken out by farmers in areas affected by the severe cold to breed cattle from state-owned commercial banks.

2. Farmers who have their debts suspended under the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article may continue to borrow funds to recover livestock breeding activities in accordance with the law if they need to.

Article 3. Implementation

1. The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, based on the extent of damage in each locality and the provisions of this Decision, shall use the central government's budget reserve for 2008 to support the localities and compile the results and report to the Prime Minister.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible for:

a) Coordinate with localities to guide farmers to effectively implement measures to prevent and control cold damage to seedlings, rice, and cattle; seed structure and planting schedule suitable for each locality;

b) Direct and inspect the work of preventing and controlling cold damage to seedlings, rice, and cattle in localities.

3. The State Bank of Vietnam, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, shall guide the implementation of Article 2 of this Decision.

4. The Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall be responsible for:

a) Directing the organization of forces and means to prevent and control cold damage to seedlings, rice, and cattle in their respective areas, ensuring the planned area for rice planting;

b) Actively using local budgets in conjunction with central government support funds and other legitimate sources to implement the policies stipulated in this Decision, ensuring that funds are used for their intended purposes, for the correct beneficiaries, and are effective;

c) Report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance the results of the cold prevention and control work for rice and cattle by the end of the severe cold period in February 2008 to compile and report to the Prime Minister.

Article 4. This Decision shall take effect from the date of signing.

Article 5. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees directly under the central government are responsible for implementing this Decision./.