Directive No. 28/2007/CT-BNN on intensifying the implementation of planning for the development of rural industries and preventing environmental pollution in craft villages

DIRECTIVE

Promote the implementation of planning for the development of rural crafts

and prevention of environmental pollution in craft villages

__________________

 MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

In recent years, efforts to restore and develop rural crafts have yielded significant results, contributing to job creation, increased income, and improved living standards for workers, reducing poverty in many localities. However, due to insufficient attention to planning and organizing the development of rural crafts in some areas, many craft villages continue to develop based on outdated manual production techniques and technology, causing air, soil, and water pollution, directly affecting public health.

To effectively implement policies for restructuring the agricultural economy and rural areas and address the aforementioned issues, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees, Directors of Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Heads of relevant agencies and units under the Ministry to direct the following actions:

I. REGARDING THE PLANNING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL CRAFTS

1. Strengthen the leadership of all levels of government in the development of rural crafts and environmental protection for sustainable development.

2. Promptly direct the construction of plans for the development of rural crafts, the development of craft villages, and clusters of rural craft enterprises, linked with the formation of new towns and marketplaces in rural areas.

3. The planning for the development of rural crafts should be consistent with the overall planning for economic and social development at both the local and national levels, tied to protecting the environment in craft villages. Strictly adhere to the provisions of Decree No. 66/2006/NĐ-CP dated July 7, 2006, issued by the Government on the development of rural crafts and related implementing guidelines.

II. REGARDING THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN CRAFT VILLAGES

1. Increase activities to promote, disseminate, and mobilize residents to comply with regulations on environmental hygiene and pollution control in craft villages.

2. Conduct statistics and assess the level of environmental pollution in craft villages within their jurisdiction and develop plans to address environmental pollution in craft villages.

3. Organize the relocation of production facilities causing severe environmental pollution out of residential areas, particularly those using chemicals containing H2SO4, H2S, NH3, HCl, NaOH; heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic; and air pollutants containing SO2, CO2, CO, NO2.

4. Support investment in upgrading, expanding, or constructing new systems for collecting and treating wastewater and solid waste. Develop integrated systems for supplying water for production and treating wastewater in concentrated craft villages.

5. Guide the application of new technologies that cause less environmental pollution in craft villages. Establish areas for collecting ordinary solid waste and hazardous waste, invest in equipment to meet the needs of waste collection and sorting to prevent environmental impact and harm to public health.

6. Strengthen environmental inspection in craft villages, promptly identifying factors harmful to the environment and public health, especially laborers in production facilities in craft villages.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Provincial People's Committees

a) Direct the rapid implementation of the construction of plans for the development of rural crafts and the prevention of environmental pollution in craft villages within their jurisdiction.

b) Plan and invest in clusters of craft villages, gradually relocating production facilities causing pollution out of residential areas.

c) Vigorously carry out mobilization and persuasion work to ensure residents comply with environmental hygiene regulations to protect public health in craft villages.

d) Develop a Program for the Conservation and Development of Craft Villages and submit it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development within the prescribed time frame.

a) Develop and issue district plans for converting crop structure on rice fields based on provincial plans;

a) Organize the implementation of the construction of plans for the development of rural crafts and the Program for the Conservation and Development of Craft Villages, considering these tasks as priorities in the annual work program for 2007.

 b) Implement the construction of plans for the development of rural crafts according to schedule. If not included in the plan for implementation in 2007, report to the Provincial People's Committee to supplement funding for implementation.

c) Actively coordinate closely with relevant agencies under the Ministry and at the local level during the process of constructing plans for the development of rural crafts and preventing environmental pollution in craft villages.

3. Agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

a) The Processing Department of Agricultural and Forestry Products and Salt Industry shall take the lead, coordinating with related units to guide localities in planning the development of rural crafts; developing a Program for the Conservation and Development of Craft Villages for the period 2008-2010 and vision 2020; and implementing pilot models for the development of rural crafts and prevention of environmental pollution in craft villages.

b) Science and Technology Department

- Propose measures to accelerate research and application, transfer of science and technology in production aimed at preventing and minimizing environmental pollution in craft villages.

- Allocate funds from the annual state budget for scientific research projects to create new technologies and products, improve research products with commercial potential, and provide scientific and technological services in the field of rural crafts and prevention of environmental pollution in craft villages.

c) Planning Department

- Propose mechanisms to strengthen investment in the field of rural craft development, prevention, and treatment of environmental pollution in craft villages in annual plans.

- Allocate funds in the 2008 and subsequent budgets to conduct basic surveys on the current status of environmentally polluting craft villages in key provinces as well as in the field of rural craft development and environmental protection in craft villages.

d) International Cooperation Department

Strengthen efforts to mobilize official development assistance funds from bilateral and multilateral organizations for investment in rural craft development, prevention of environmental pollution in craft villages, and the Program for the Conservation and Development of Craft Villages for the period 2008-2010 and vision 2020.

đ) Finance Department

Allocate from the annual state budget for activities related to investigation, survey, and other related activities in the field of rural craft development and environmental pollution prevention in craft villages.

e) The Water Resources Administration, Rural Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Center

- Strengthen information dissemination and propaganda efforts to enhance public awareness at all levels regarding environmental pollution prevention in craft villages.

- Construct water supply systems, drainage systems, and wastewater treatment facilities in craft villages to ensure appropriate technological processes and meet environmental standards.

- Study and develop pilot models for waste treatment in craft villages, with a focus on villages processing food grains, food products, and handicrafts.

g) The National Agricultural Extension Center

Coordinate and support rural craft enterprises and craft villages in areas such as information dissemination, propaganda; model construction, technology transfer; training, education, and service advisory.

h) The Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development

- Research, evaluate, summarize experiences during the process of developing craft villages and rural crafts, and propose policies and solutions for sustainable development of craft villages and rural crafts while ensuring environmental protection and community health.

- Propose mechanisms and policies to encourage economic sectors to develop technologies for preventing environmental pollution in craft villages, creating favorable conditions for production units to upgrade and invest in new clean production technologies to minimize environmental pollution.

i) Institutes and Schools under the Ministry relevant to their functions and tasks

Promote training and scientific research activities in the field of rural craft development and environmental pollution prevention in craft villages according to assigned duties.

k) Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, Information and Statistics Center, Rural Development and Agriculture Journal are responsible for promoting awareness of the importance of rural craft development and environmental pollution prevention in craft villages; actively promote exemplary models and effective practices in rural craft development and environmental pollution prevention in craft villages.

Relevant agencies and units shall report on implementation status to the Processing and Salt Industry Department by December each year. During the implementation period, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies and units shall promptly report to the Ministry for resolution./.