Circular No. 27/2009/TT-BNN on quarantine regulations for the importation of cattle from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam.

 CIRCULAR

ISSUING REGULATIONS ON IMPORT QUARANTINE OF CATTLE AND BUFFALOES FROM LAOS AND CAMBODIA INTO VIETNAM

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 the Veterinary Law dated April 29, 2004;
ences to the Ordinance on Livestock Breeds dated March 24, 2004;
Pursuant to Decree No. 33/2005/NĐ-CP dated March 15, 2005 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Animal Health Ordinance;
Pursuant to Decree No. 119/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 28, 2008 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 33/2005/NĐ-CP dated March 15, 2005 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Animal Health Ordinance;
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby promulgates regulations on import quarantine of cattle and buffaloes from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam as follows:

Chapter I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the procedures for import quarantine of cattle and buffaloes for breeding or slaughter from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam.

Article 2. This Circular applies to organizations and individuals within the country, and foreign organizations and individuals engaged in the business of trading and transporting cattle and buffaloes for breeding or slaughter from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

1. Shipper including organizations and individuals trading and transporting cattle and buffaloes from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam.

2. Formal Import refers to the act of the consignee purchasing cattle and buffaloes from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam through sales contracts with the exporting countries.

3. Collection After Import refers to the act of the consignee collecting cattle and buffaloes at border communes that have been imported into Vietnam through barter or exchange transactions among border residents without sales contracts with the exporting countries.

Chapter II.
IMPORT QUARANTINE OF CATTLE AND BUFFALOES THROUGH FORMAL IMPORT CHANNELS

Article 3. Requirements for import quarantine procedures of cattle and buffaloes

Clause 1. The consignee wishing to import cattle and buffaloes from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam for breeding or slaughter through formal import channels must register for import quarantine with the Department of Animal Health in accordance with Decision No. 15/2006/QĐ-BNN dated March 8, 2006 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the procedures and requirements for animal quarantine, veterinary inspection; and Circular No. 11/2009/TT-BNN dated March 4, 2009 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on amendments and supplements to certain articles regarding the procedures and requirements for animal quarantine, veterinary inspection.

Clause 2. Based on the disease situation in the exporting country, the Department of Animal Health shall guide the veterinary hygiene requirements for importing cattle and buffaloes into Vietnam.

Article 4. Content of pre-import quarantine of cattle and buffaloes

Clause 1. Based on the consignee's needs for importing cattle and buffaloes from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam and the quarantine location, the Department of Animal Health shall examine and designate the quarantine location and the veterinary authority shall conduct inspections of the quarantine conditions and import quarantine procedures for cattle and buffaloes according to the provisions set out in Clause 1 of Article 3 of this Circular.

Clause 2. Cattle and buffaloes shall be brought to the quarantine location which has been inspected by the veterinary authority to ensure the quarantine conditions.

For cattle and buffaloes imported for slaughter purposes, they shall be brought to a slaughter facility that meets the conditions for housing and isolating them during quarantine.

Clause 3. Veterinary hygiene requirements for quarantine locations.

Quarantine locations must meet the following minimum conditions:

Point a) The quarantine location must be situated in a separate area, isolated from residential areas, markets, schools, public areas, main traffic routes, and local livestock farming areas;

Point b) There must be double fencing to prevent direct or indirect contact with external animals;

Point c) There must be roofed pens for cattle and buffaloes to limit the adverse effects of harsh weather during the quarantine period;

Point d) The scale, area, equipment, and livestock supplies must meet the requirements for caring for and feeding the herd of cattle and buffaloes;

Point đ) Imported cattle and buffaloes must be provided with sufficient and hygienic feed and water to ensure their health;

Point e) The quarantine location must have a system for collecting and treating solid and liquid waste generated during the quarantine period;

Point f) There must be separate pens for sick cattle and buffaloes isolated from the quarantine pens;

The quarantine location must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after bringing cattle and buffaloes into quarantine.

Chapter III.
QUARANTINE FOR CATTLE AND BUFFALOES COLLECTED AFTER IMPORT

Article 5. Conditions for the collection of imported buffaloes and cattle

1. Imported buffaloes and cattle may only be used for slaughter purposes.

2. All collected buffaloes and cattle must be placed in quarantine facilities located in border communes and must meet the requirements set forth in Clause 3, Article 4 of this Circular.

3. The consignor must declare and complete the quarantine procedures for collected buffaloes and cattle at the local Animal Health Sub-department after importation.

Article 6. Quarantine for collected buffaloes and cattle after importation

1. Animal Health Sub-departments in border provinces shall organize the implementation of quarantine for collected buffaloes and cattle after importation.

2. Contents of quarantine at the quarantine facility:

After buffaloes and cattle are brought to the quarantine facility for 1-2 days, the Animal Health Sub-department shall carry out:

a) Observing and conducting clinical health checks on the herd of buffaloes and cattle;

b) Marking buffaloes and cattle by ear tagging according to Decision No. 70/2006/QD-BNN dated September 14, 2006 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development amending and supplementing Decision No. 49/2006/QD-BNN dated June 13, 2006 regarding the marking of livestock transported within the country;

c) Collecting blood samples to test the entire herd of buffaloes and cattle for infectious abortion, Brucellosis, and Bovine Tuberculosis;

d) Administering vaccines against Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Bovine Pasteurellosis according to regulations;

đ) Announcing the end of the quarantine period for imported buffaloes and cattle that meet the following conditions: clinically healthy, negative results for tested diseases, vaccinated with required vaccines, and treated with external parasite control medication; If buffaloes and cattle do not meet the conditions for announcing the end of the quarantine period, the Animal Health Sub-department shall report to the Animal Health Department for timely guidance on handling.

e) The quarantine period is 15 days; if the quarantine period exceeds the aforementioned time limit, the Animal Health Sub-department must inform the consignor of the specific reasons.

Chapter IV.
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 7. Responsibilities of People's Committees of Border Provinces

1. Directing People's Committees at all levels and relevant functional agencies in the province, especially those bordering countries: Strengthening supervision and resolutely dealing with cases of illegal trade and transportation of buffaloes and cattle not in accordance with the guidelines of this Circular.

2. Directing related Departments and Agencies in the province:

a) Promptly planning and constructing quarantine facilities for buffaloes and cattle after importation in the locality.

b) In cases where the province does not have quarantine facilities, temporarily requiring consignors to build quarantine areas for buffaloes and cattle for quarantine.

c) Strictly implementing quarantine of collected buffaloes and cattle after importation in border communes according to the guidelines of this Circular.

d) Closely monitoring the importation, trade, and transportation of buffaloes and cattle across borders into the locality; strictly handling cases of importing, trading, and transporting buffaloes and cattle without veterinary quarantine; if infected buffaloes and cattle are detected, organizing rapid containment and eradication of the disease and thorough disinfection, and taking samples for testing in suspected cases.

Article 8. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directs the Animal Health Department:

a) Organizing the implementation of quarantine for officially imported buffaloes and cattle from Laos and Cambodia into Vietnam in accordance with regulations.

b) Guiding and supervising Animal Health Sub-departments in border provinces to implement quarantine of collected buffaloes and cattle in border communes, and organizing testing of samples when requested.

c) Cooperating with relevant agencies to strengthen inspections and checks on the transportation and trade of buffaloes and cattle across borders.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinates with the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Industry and Trade, Finance to direct related agencies (such as Border Guard, Traffic Police, Economic Police, Environmental Police, Market Management, Customs) to closely cooperate with the veterinary sector to strengthen management, supervision, prevention, and strict handling of smuggling, trade, and consumption of buffaloes and cattle not in accordance with regulations.

Article 9. Responsibilities of the consignee

1. Only purchase cattle from breeding facilities with clear addresses located in safe areas without disease outbreaks in the exporting country.

2. Carry out declaration and quarantine isolation in accordance with the guidance provided in this Circular.

3. Immediately report to the veterinary authority upon discovering any signs of illness, refusal to eat, or death of cattle for any reason.

4. Bear the costs for quarantine isolation and related import inspection fees; simultaneously bear economic compensation costs and disease prevention expenses, and be subject to legal penalties if failing to comply with current regulations leading to the spread of disease.

Article 10. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect 45 days from the date of signature./.