Circular No. 26/2016/TT-BNNPTNT on animal quarantine and aquatic animal products quarantine

CIRCULAR

Regulations on animal quarantine and aquatic animal products

On the basis of Law on Animal Health No. 79/2015/QH13 dated June 19, 2015;

On the basis of Law on Food Safety No. 55/2010/QH12 dated June 17, 2010;

Decree No. Decree No. 199/2013/NĐ-CP dated November 26, 2013 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

At the proposal of the Director of the Animal Health Department,

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issues this Circular on Regulations on animal quarantine and aquatic animal products.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular specifies in detail Clause 3 of Article 53 of the Law on Animal Health regarding the List of animals, aquatic animal products subject to quarantine, exempt from quarantine; the List of animals, aquatic animal products subject to risk analysis before importation into Vietnam; the List of quarantine objects for animals, aquatic animal products; contents and documents for animal quarantine and aquatic animal product quarantine when transported out of provincial territory, exported, imported, temporarily imported for re-export, temporarily exported for re-import, transferred between customs checkpoints, stored in bonded warehouses, transiting through Vietnamese territory.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the transportation of animals, aquatic animal products out of provincial territory, export, import, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, transfer between customs checkpoints, storage in bonded warehouses, transit through Vietnamese territory.

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Aquatic animal breeding stock refers to aquatic animals used for producing breeding stock, breeding purposes for commercial farming, ornamental, recreational, or other purposes.

2. Commercial aquatic animals refers to live aquatic animals used for food; raw materials for food processing, feed for livestock, fish feed, or other purposes, except breeding purposes.

3. Quarantine isolation facility for aquatic animals is a place where aquatic animals are kept during the specified period for quarantine purposes.

4. Quarantine isolation facility for aquatic animal products is a warehouse or means of transport containing aquatic animal products during the specified period for quarantine purposes.

Article 3. Lists of Animals, Aquatic Animal Products Subject to Quarantine, Exempt from Quarantine; Lists of Animals, Aquatic Animal Products Subject to Risk Analysis Before Importation into Vietnam; Lists of Quarantine Objects for Animals, Aquatic Animal Products

1. The List of animals, aquatic animal products subject to quarantine, exempt from quarantine is provided in Appendix I attached to this Circular.

2. The List of animals, aquatic animal products subject to risk analysis before importation into Vietnam is provided in Appendix II attached to this Circular.

3. The List of quarantine objects for animals, aquatic animal products is provided in Appendix III attached to this Circular.

Chapter II
REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS AND CONTENT OF QUARANTINE

Article 4. Registration Documents and Declaration Forms for Quarantine

1. Registration documents for quarantine of aquatic animals used for breeding stock transported out of provincial territory; commercial aquatic animals, aquatic animal products originating from areas declared as epidemic zones transported out of provincial territory: A quarantine registration form according to Model 01 TS in Appendix V attached to this Circular.

2. Registration documents for quarantine of imported animals, aquatic animal products for domestic consumption;

a) A request for quarantine guidance according to Model 02 TS in Appendix V attached to this Circular;

b) A copy of the Export Health Certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country confirmed by the enterprise (for animals, aquatic animal products from countries or regions without agreements on health certificate models with Vietnam);

c) A copy of the CITES permit confirmed by the enterprise for animals, aquatic animal products listed in the List of Endangered, Rare, and Precious Wild Fauna and Flora under Vietnamese law or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);

a) A declaration form for quarantine according to Model 03 TS in Appendix V attached to this Circular;

b) A copy confirmed by the enterprise or the original Export Health Certificate of the exporting country, except for aquatic animal products directly imported from foreign fishing vessels. In cases where copies are sent or the export health certificate has not been provided at the time of submission, the original export health certificate must be submitted upon inspection;

c) A copy confirmed by the enterprise of the relevant permits as stipulated in Point c, Clause 2 of this Article;

d) A copy confirmed by the enterprise of related documents concerning the export consignment (food safety certificate if applicable, recall notice of the enterprise, customs declaration form, list of goods) for returned or recalled aquatic animal products.

4. Registration documents for quarantine of temporarily imported for re-export, temporarily exported for re-import, transferred between customs checkpoints, stored in bonded warehouses, transiting through Vietnamese territory of animals, aquatic animal products:

a) A request for quarantine guidance according to Model 04 TS (Model 05 TS for bonded warehouse imports and exports) in Appendix V attached to this Circular;

b) A copy of the trade contract confirmed by the enterprise;

c) A copy confirmed by the enterprise of the relevant permits as stipulated in Point c, Clause 2 of this Article;

d) A copy of the Temporary Import-Export Goods Business Code Certificate according to regulations confirmed by the enterprise;

đ) A certified copy of the Goods Transit Permit in accordance with the regulations, confirmed by the enterprise;

e) A certified copy of the Temporary Import for Re-export Permit for goods in accordance with the regulations, confirmed by the enterprise;

g) A certified copy of the Decision on Establishing an Inland Warehouse confirmed by the enterprise; in case of renting a warehouse, there must be a certified copy of the Inland Warehouse Rental Contract confirmed by the enterprise (for imported and exported goods from the Inland Warehouse).

5. Documents for registering animal quarantine for export of aquatic animals and aquatic products not intended for food:

a) Form 03 TS Appendix V issued together with this Circular;

b) Sanitary requirements of the importing country or the consignor (if any);

a) Form 03 TS Appendix V issued together with this Circular;

a) Form 03 TS Appendix V issued together with this Circular;

b) A certified copy confirmed by the enterprise or the original Health Certificate of the exporting country. In case of submitting a copy or at the time of submission, the Health Certificate of the exporting country has not been issued, then the original Health Certificate of the exporting country must be submitted when inspecting the goods.

Article 5. Registration for Quarantine of Aquatic Animals Used as Breeding Stock Transported Out of Provincial Territory; Commercial Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products Originating from Diseased Areas Transported Out of Provincial Territory

1. Prior to transporting aquatic animals used as breeding stock out of provincial territory; commercial aquatic animals and aquatic products originating from diseased areas transported out of provincial territory, the consignor shall submit one set of registration documents for quarantine in accordance with Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular to the specialized veterinary management agency of the province or the authorized district-level specialized veterinary management agency (hereinafter referred to as the domestic animal quarantine agency).

Method of submitting documents: By postal service or email, fax, followed by submission of the original documents or direct submission.

2. Within one working day from the date of receipt of the documents, the domestic animal quarantine agency shall examine the validity of the documents and notify the consignor of the time and place for quarantine. If the documents are incomplete, the agency shall guide the consignor to complete the documents in accordance with the regulations.

Article 6. Quarantine of Aquatic Animals Used as Breeding Stock Originating from Aquaculture Facilities Not Recognized as Disease-Free or Not Monitored According to Regulations, or from Collection and Trading Facilities Transported Out of Provincial Territory

1. The quarantine shall be conducted immediately at the temporary holding facilities; breeding tanks or ponds of aquaculture facilities; collection and trading facilities.

2. The domestic animal quarantine agency shall conduct the quarantine as follows:

a) Inspect the quantity, type, and size of aquatic animals;

b) Conduct clinical examination;

c) Collect samples for testing in accordance with Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

d) Inspect the sanitary conditions of the transportation vehicles and accompanying equipment;

đ) Issue a Health Certificate in accordance with Point d, Clause 1, Article 55 of the Law on Veterinary Medicine;

e) Supervise the loading process of breeding aquatic animals onto transportation vehicles;

g) Notify the domestic animal quarantine agency at the destination via email or fax the following information: Health Certificate number, issuance date, type of goods, quantity of goods, consignor's name, destination, vehicle license plate number daily at 16:30.

3. In case the test results indicate a positive disease index, the domestic animal quarantine agency will not issue a Health Certificate and will proceed with handling according to the regulations on preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases.

Article 7. Aquatic animal quarantine for breeding purposes originating from aquatic farming facilities recognized as disease-safe or under disease surveillance when transported out of the provincial administrative area.

1. The facility must ensure recognition as disease-safe or under disease surveillance for aquatic animal diseases as stipulated in Appendix IV attached to this Circular.

2. The domestic animal quarantine authority shall carry out the following:

a) Inspect the veterinary hygiene conditions of the transport vehicles and accompanying equipment;

b) Issue a Health Certificate in accordance with Point b Clause 2 Article 55 of the Law on Animal Health;

c) Supervise and inspect the loading process of aquatic animal breeding stock onto transport vehicles;

d) Carry out in accordance with the provisions at Point g Clause 2 Article 6 of this Circular.

Article 8. Quarantine of commercial aquatic animals originating from epidemic zones when transported out of the provincial administrative area.

1. Commercial aquatic animals harvested from farms without disease in epidemic zones, the domestic animal quarantine authority shall conduct quarantine as follows:

a) Inspect the quantity, type, and size of aquatic animals;

b) Conduct clinical examination;

c) Take samples to test pathogens for commercial aquatic animals infected with the announced disease as stipulated in Appendix IV attached to this Circular;

d) Carry out in accordance with the provisions at Points d, đ, e, and g Clause 2 Article 6 of this Circular.

2. Aquatic animals harvested from farms with currently announced diseases must be processed (heat treatment or specific measures applicable to each type of disease to ensure no spread of the disease) before being moved out of the epidemic zone.

Article 9. Quarantine of aquatic animal products originating from epidemic zones when transported out of the provincial administrative area.

1. The quarantine shall be carried out immediately at the initial processing and manufacturing facilities of the consignor.

2. The domestic animal quarantine authority shall conduct quarantine as follows:

a) Inspect the quantity and types of aquatic animal products;

b) Inspect compliance with regulations on initial processing and manufacturing of aquatic products before leaving the epidemic zone;

c) Inspect the packaging, storage condition, and sensory characteristics of aquatic animal products;

d) Inspect the sanitary conditions of the transportation vehicles and accompanying equipment;

đ) Carry out in accordance with the provisions at Points d, đ, and g Clause 2 Article 6 of this Circular;

e) Implement or supervise the consignor's implementation of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of transport vehicles and accompanying equipment before loading;

g) Supervise and inspect the loading process of aquatic animal products onto transport vehicles; seal the transport vehicle; implement or supervise the consignor's implementation of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of the loading area.

2. In cases where aquatic animal products do not meet veterinary hygiene requirements, the domestic animal quarantine authority will not issue a Health Certificate and will handle the situation according to regulations.

Article 10. Control of aquatic animals used for breeding at the receiving locality.

1. The domestic animal quarantine authority at the receiving locality shall only conduct quarantine of aquatic animals used for breeding in the following cases:

a) A consignment transported from another province without a Health Certificate or with an invalid Health Certificate;

b) The domestic animal quarantine authority discovers unauthorized substitution or addition of aquatic animal breeding stock without permission from the quarantine authority;

c) The domestic animal quarantine authority discovers signs of disease in aquatic animals.

2. For consignments requiring quarantine, the domestic animal quarantine authority shall conduct quarantine and issue a Health Certificate in accordance with the provisions at Points a, b, c, d, and đ Clause 2 Article 6 of this Circular.

1. Registration for quarantine

Prior to exporting animals and aquatic animal products requiring quarantine, the consignor shall submit one set of documents in accordance with Clause 5, Article 4 of this Circular to the Regional Animal Health Office or the Regional Animal Quarantine Sub-Department under the Department of Animal Health or the provincial specialized animal health management agency authorized by the Department of Animal Health (hereinafter referred to as the animal quarantine agency at the border gate). The form of submission: Sending via postal service or email, fax, followed by sending the original documents or submitting directly.

2. Receiving and Processing Applications

The agency receiving the documents shall immediately check the validity of the documents; if they are not valid, it shall request the consignor to complete the documents in accordance with regulations.

3. The animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall carry out quarantine as follows

a) Checking the quantity, type, packaging of animals and aquatic animal products;

b) Conducting clinical examination on aquatic animals; conducting sensory inspection, storage conditions, and actual condition of aquatic animal products;

c) Taking samples for testing and examining according to the requirements of the importing country or the consignor (if any), except for disease indicators that have been recognized as safe for the place of origin of the aquatic animals;

d) Issuing a Certificate of Quarantine in accordance with Point c, Clause 2, Article 42 of the Law on Animal Health.

4. In cases where the consignor or the importing country does not require quarantine: The consignor must carry out transportation quarantine outside the provincial territory in accordance with Articles 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this Circular.

5. Supervision of animals and animal products at export border gates: The animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall implement as follows:

a) Checking the Export Certificate of Quarantine;

b) Conducting clinical symptom examination on aquatic animals, actual condition of goods, packaging and storage conditions for aquatic animal products;

c) Confirming or issuing a replacement Export Certificate of Quarantine upon the consignor's request.

Article 12. Export quarantine of animals and aquatic animal products intended for food

1. The consignor shall submit one set of documents in accordance with Clause 1, Article 57 of the Law on Animal Health.

2. The procedures, formalities, and contents of quarantine shall be carried out in accordance with Clauses 2 and 3, Article 57 of the Law on Animal Health.

a) The consignor shall submit one set of registration documents for quarantine in accordance with Clause 2, Article 4 of this Circular to the Department of Animal Health. The form of submission: Sending via postal service or email, fax, followed by sending the original documents or submitting directly;

b) The Department of Animal Health shall send a document agreeing to quarantine via email to the consignor and the animal quarantine agency at the border gate.

a) After receiving the document from the Department of Animal Health, the consignor shall submit one set of declaration documents for quarantine in accordance with Clause 6, Article 4 of this Circular to the animal quarantine agency at the border gate before the goods arrive at the import border gate;

b) The animal quarantine agency at the border gate, upon receiving valid documents, shall notify the consignor of the time and location for quarantine, and if the documents are not valid, it shall guide the consignor to complete them in accordance with regulations.

3. Preparation of isolation facilities for imported aquatic animal quarantine

a) The consignor is responsible for arranging the quarantine isolation location;

b) The quarantine isolation location must be arranged at a place ensuring veterinary hygiene requirements, inspected and supervised by the animal quarantine agency at the border gate during the quarantine isolation period.

If aquatic animals are raised in cages or rafts at sea, they must be isolated in separate cages or rafts away from aquaculture areas; if aquatic animals are raised at land-based facilities, they must be isolated in separate tanks or ponds.

c) The animal quarantine agency at the border gate is responsible for inspecting the veterinary hygiene conditions to ensure the conditions for quarantine isolation and reporting the results to the consignor and the Department of Animal Health via email or fax, followed by sending the original copy.

a) The animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall implement in accordance with Article 47 of the Law on Animal Health;

b) For aquatic animals used as breeding stock: Taking samples for testing diseases as specified in Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

c) For commercial aquatic animals: Taking samples for monitoring harmful residues as specified in Appendix IV issued together with this Circular; only taking samples for testing aquatic animal diseases if signs of disease as specified in Appendix III issued together with this Circular are detected;

d) The quarantine isolation period: Not exceeding 10 days for breeding aquatic animals, and not exceeding 3 days for commercial aquatic animals from the date of quarantine isolation; if the period exceeds the above, the animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall notify the consignor in writing and specify the reasons;

đ) For aquatic animal products: Taking samples for testing according to the indicators specified in Appendix IV issued together with this Circular.

a) Within five working days from the start of quarantine, the animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall issue an Import Certificate of Quarantine for aquatic products meeting the requirements, notify the consignor, the animal quarantine agency at the destination, and allow the consignor to complete customs procedures; if the period exceeds five working days, the animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall notify the consignor in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Immediately after the end of the quarantine isolation period, the animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall issue an Import Certificate of Quarantine for healthy animals and aquatic animal disease tests meeting the requirements, notify the animal quarantine agency at the destination, and allow the consignor to complete customs procedures;

c) Notify the animal quarantine agency at the destination via email or fax the information including: Certificate of Quarantine number, issuance date, quantity of goods immediately after issuing the Certificate of Quarantine.

6. Notification of violation: In case a batch of goods violates the tested indicators, the Department of Animal Health shall notify in writing the competent authority of the exporting country to conduct an investigation, request corrective actions, and report the results.

The consignor is responsible for handling the shipment of non-compliant goods in accordance with the guidelines provided by the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry.

1. The consignor submits one set of documents as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 4 of this Circular to the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry where the goods are imported.

Method of submitting documents: By postal service or email, fax, followed by submission of the original documents or direct submission.

Within one working day from the date of receipt of the documents, the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry confirms the Declaration Form for quarantine so that the consignor can proceed with customs formalities and informs the consignor of the time and place for conducting the quarantine. If the documents are not in compliance, the agency will guide the consignor to complete the documents in accordance with the regulations.

2. The animal quarantine agency at the port of entry shall carry out the quarantine as follows:

a) Inspect the storage conditions, packaging specifications, labeling, and external appearance of the product;

b) In cases of suspicion or discovery of goods that do not meet veterinary hygiene requirements, samples shall be taken for testing of veterinary hygiene indicators.

3. Issuance of the Certificate of Quarantine

a) Within two working days from the start of the quarantine, the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry issues the Import Quarantine Certificate for the lot of goods that meets the veterinary hygiene requirements;

b) In cases where sampling for testing is required: within five working days from the start of the quarantine, the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry issues the Import Quarantine Certificate for the lot of goods that meets the veterinary hygiene requirements.

4. Supervisory inspection of imported aquatic animal products used as raw materials for processing and manufacturing exported food products; recalled or returned goods:

a) Take samples for monitoring according to the provisions set forth in Appendix IV attached to this Circular;

b) Notification of violations: carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clause 6, Article 13 of this Circular.

1. The consignor submits one set of quarantine registration documents as prescribed in Clause 4, Article 4 of this Circular to the Department of Animal Health.

Method of submitting documents: Sending via postal service or email, fax, followed by sending the original documents or sending directly.

2. The Department of Animal Health sends a written agreement on quarantine by email to the consignor and the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry.

3. After receiving the written agreement from the Department of Animal Health, before the goods arrive at the port of entry, the consignor submits one set of quarantine declaration documents as prescribed in Clause 7, Article 4 of this Circular to the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry.

The animal quarantine agency at the port of entry conducts quarantine in accordance with the provisions of Article 50 of the Law on Animal Health.

Article 16. Quarantine of animals and aquatic animal products temporarily exported for re-import

1. Temporary export quarantine is conducted in accordance with the regulations on export quarantine.

2. Re-import quarantine is conducted in accordance with the regulations on import quarantine.

1. The consignor submits one set of quarantine registration documents as prescribed in Clause 4, Article 4 of this Circular to the Department of Animal Health. Method of submitting documents: Sending via postal service or email, fax, followed by sending the original documents or sending directly.

2. The Department of Animal Health sends a written agreement on quarantine by email to the consignor and the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry.

3. After receiving the written agreement from the Department of Animal Health, before the goods arrive at the port of entry, the consignor submits one set of quarantine declaration documents as prescribed in Clause 7, Article 4 of this Circular to the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry.

a) Issue a Transport Permit for the consignor to transport the goods from the port of entry to the bonded warehouse;

b) At the bonded warehouse, the animal quarantine agency cooperates with the customs authority to inspect the actual condition of the lot of goods and confirm it for the consignor to enter the goods into the bonded warehouse.

5. Before exporting goods from the bonded warehouse, the consignor must submit a quarantine declaration form to the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry in accordance with the following provisions:

a) For aquatic animal products used as raw materials for processing and manufacturing exported food products, the documents are as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 4 of this Circular;

b) For animals and aquatic animal products exported to other countries or foreign cruise ships, the documents are as prescribed in Clause 5, Article 4 of this Circular;

c) For animals and aquatic animal products imported for domestic consumption, the documents are as prescribed in Clause 6, Article 4 of this Circular.

6. The animal quarantine agency at the port of entry conducts quarantine of goods being exported from the bonded warehouse as follows:

b) Conducted in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 4, 5, and 6 of Article 13 of this Circular for animals and aquatic animal products for domestic consumption;

c) Conducted in accordance with Points a, b, and d of Clause 3 and Points a and b of Clause 5 of Article 11 of this Circular; take samples for testing and examination of indicators as required by the importing country or the consignor (if applicable) for exported animals and aquatic animal products;

d) In cases where the goods are exported from the bonded warehouse in batches, the animal quarantine agency at the port of entry deducts the quantity of goods from the original Export Quarantine Certificate issued by the exporting country, retains a copy in the quarantine file. The original Export Quarantine Certificate issued by the exporting country will be collected and kept in the file of the final export shipment of the lot of goods.

1. Animals and aquatic animal products transported out of provincial territory shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Articles 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this Circular.

2. Imported animals and aquatic animal products shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 of this Circular.

3. Upon completion of the trade fair, exhibition, or artistic performance: Waste and wastewater must be treated to meet requirements before being discharged into the environment.

1. The consignor shall submit one set of registration documents for quarantine to the animal quarantine agency at the border gate in accordance with Clause 5 of Article 4 of this Circular.

2. The animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall carry out quarantine as follows:

a) For aquatic animals: Clinical examination, sampling for testing diseases as required by the consignor or the importing country;

b) For aquatic animal products: Sensory inspection, sampling for testing veterinary hygiene indicators as required by the consignor or the importing country;

c) Guide the consignor to hold aquatic animals in confinement, package aquatic animal products in accordance with regulations, seal or mark the consignment, and issue a health certificate for animals and aquatic animal products that meet veterinary hygiene requirements;

d) Guide the consignor on how to handle animals and aquatic animal products that do not meet veterinary hygiene requirements for export.

1. When importing animals and aquatic animal products not for business purposes, the consignor must submit one set of declaration documents for import quarantine to the animal quarantine agency at the border gate in accordance with Clause 6 of Article 4 of this Circular.

2. The animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall carry out quarantine as follows:

a) Check the quarantine documentation, Export Health Certificate from the exporting country, compare with the species, quantity, and weight of the actual imported goods;

b) Inspect the condition of the consignment; the holding conditions of aquatic animals; packaging and storage of aquatic animal products;

c) In case of discovering species not listed in the list of commonly imported aquatic species, diseased aquatic animals, or aquatic animal products showing signs of spoilage, they shall be destroyed or returned to the exporting country;

d) After inspection, healthy aquatic animals and aquatic animal products meeting veterinary hygiene requirements shall be held in confinement, packaged, and stored according to regulations, and the animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall issue an Import Health Certificate for the consignor to complete customs and postal procedures.

3. Fresh live aquatic products may not be carried by individuals.

1. When there is a request to receive disease sample specimens from abroad sent to Vietnam or to send disease sample specimens from Vietnam to abroad, the consignor must submit one application for quarantine registration in Form 06 TS attached as Appendix V of this Circular to the Department of Animal Health.

2. Within five working days from receipt of a valid application, the Department of Animal Health shall have the responsibility to respond to the consignor with either non-approval or approval.

3. The animal quarantine agency at the border gate shall carry out quarantine for transport of disease sample specimens as follows:

a) Check the approval document from the Department of Animal Health and other related documents; the packaging and storage condition of the disease sample specimens;

b) Issue a transport permit for disease sample specimens with valid documentation; those that are packaged and stored in compliance with veterinary hygiene requirements.

Chapter III
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

a) Inspect, evaluate capacity, and decide to delegate authority to provincial specialized animal health management agencies to implement quarantine and issue certificates of animal and aquatic animal product quarantine at some border gates;

b) Lead the implementation in accordance with Point a Clause 1 and Point a Clause 2 Article 59 of the Veterinary Law;

c) Guide regional animal health agencies, regional animal quarantine services, and provincial specialized animal health management agencies to organize the implementation of quarantine of animals and aquatic animal products in accordance with this Circular.

2. Responsibilities of the Regional Animal Health Agency, the Regional Animal Quarantine Service, and the provincial specialized animal health management agency authorized

a) Implement quarantine and issue certificates of animal and aquatic animal product quarantine for export and import in accordance with regulations;

b) Report to the Animal Health Department monthly, quarterly, and annually on information about exported and imported animals and aquatic animal products.

3. Responsibilities of the provincial specialized animal health management agency

a) Organize the implementation of quarantine of animals and aquatic animal products circulating domestically in accordance with this Circular and guidance from the Animal Health Department;

b) Delegate authority to animal quarantine officers to conduct quarantine and issue certificates of animal and aquatic animal product quarantine for transportation out of the provincial territory in accordance with current laws;

c) Report to the Animal Health Department monthly, quarterly, and annually on information about animals and aquatic animal products circulating domestically.

4. The Quality Management Bureau of Forestry, Agriculture, and Aquatic Products has the responsibility to organize the implementation of quarantine of animals and aquatic products for export as food in accordance with this Circular.

5. Responsibilities of the consignor

a) Comply with the provisions of this Circular, veterinary laws, and other relevant laws regarding the quarantine of animals and aquatic animal products;

b) Pay for quarantine and testing costs, and actual expenses for handling and destroying batches that do not meet requirements (if applicable) in accordance with current regulations.

Article 23. Transitional Provisions

Types of domestic transport certificates of animal and aquatic animal product quarantine according to Circular No. 06/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated February 2, 2010, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on procedures and formalities for aquatic animal and aquatic animal product quarantine may continue to be used until June 30, 2017.

Article 24. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from August 15, 2016.

2. This Circular replaces the following Circulars:

a) Circular No. 06/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated February 2, 2010, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on procedures and formalities for aquatic animal and aquatic animal product quarantine;

b) Circular No. 43/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated July 14, 2010, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development amending and supplementing Articles 16 and 17 of Circular No. 06/TT-BNN-NNPTNT dated February 2, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

c) Circular No. 32/2012/TT-BNNPTNT dated July 20, 2012, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the List of objects subject to aquatic animal and aquatic animal product quarantine; the List of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products requiring quarantine;

3. This Circular abolishes:

a) Article 5 of Circular No. 47/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated August 3, 2010, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on amending and supplementing certain provisions on administrative procedures of Decision No. 71/2007/QĐ-BNN dated August 6, 2007; Decision No. 98/2007/QĐ-BNN dated December 3, 2007; Decision No. 118/2008/QĐ-BNN dated December 11, 2008, and Circular No. 06/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated February 2, 2010;

b) Article 2 of Circular No. 51/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated September 8, 2010, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 25/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated April 8, 2010, and Circular No. 06/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated February 2, 2010;

c) Article 2 of Circular No. 53/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated September 10, 2010, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decision No. 86/2005/QĐ-BNN dated December 26, 2005, and Circular No. 06/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated February 2, 2010.

4. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, organizations and individuals should report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for timely coordination and resolution.