Directive No. 30/2005/CT-TTg to strengthen management of livestock and poultry slaughter to ensure food hygiene and safety

DIRECTIVE

Strengthening management of livestock and poultry slaughter

to ensure food safety

In recent years, the management of livestock and poultry slaughter has been given attention and directed by authorities in some localities to provide safe food for consumption and export, contributing to preventing animal diseases and promoting large-scale livestock farming. However, current livestock and poultry slaughter is still largely informal, scattered, small-scale, without centralized slaughterhouse planning, especially in urban areas, industrial zones, and densely populated places; many places have relaxed control over slaughter and veterinary hygiene inspections, causing environmental pollution, affecting public health, and limiting the development of large-scale livestock farming towards commercial production and international economic integration. To strengthen the management of livestock and poultry slaughter and ensure food safety, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. Provincial People's Committees shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to be responsible for:

a) Promptly directing the construction, approval, and implementation of plans for slaughterhouses for livestock and poultry on their respective territories according to the Veterinary Law, Decree No. 33/2005/NĐ-CP dated March 15, 2005 detailing certain provisions of the Veterinary Law, and in accordance with local conditions. The planning of slaughterhouses for livestock and poultry must ensure long-term orientation, meeting technical requirements, food safety, environmental protection, and disease prevention for both humans and animals. In cities, towns, industrial zones, and densely populated areas, centralized slaughterhouses must be built immediately, ending the practice of scattered slaughter at markets. At the same time, localities must plan markets and trading points for live animals and animal products. The completion and implementation of this planning must be completed and carried out in 2006.

b) Encouraging and creating favorable conditions for various economic components to participate in investment, organization, and management of centralized slaughter and processing activities for livestock and poultry products on their respective territories, ensuring food safety, environmental hygiene, and preventing the emergence and spread of diseases. Depending on conditions, each locality may adopt reasonable support and preferential policies for organizations and individuals investing in centralized slaughter facilities.

c) Strengthening measures for management, inspection, and strict supervision according to mandatory veterinary hygiene regulations in the business, trade, slaughter, and processing of livestock and poultry and their products. Seriously handle violations according to the law for small-scale slaughter not subject to slaughter inspection, veterinary hygiene inspection, failing to ensure food safety, spreading diseases, and polluting the environment; at the same time, organize propaganda, education, and mobilize the people to consume only products with clear origin and source, which have been inspected and guaranteed hygiene.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall promptly issue regulations on management and technical procedures applicable to livestock and poultry slaughter and trade activities and their products.

Coordinate with the Ministries of Health, Natural Resources and Environment, Trade, Science and Technology to direct specialized agencies to assist localities in planning, designing, and constructing slaughterhouses; organizing training and capacity building for managers and inspectors to ensure veterinary hygiene, food safety, disease prevention for both humans and animals, and environmental pollution prevention.

3. The Ministry of Culture and Information shall cooperate with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop programs to promote food safety in livestock breeding, slaughter, production, circulation, and use of food products from livestock and poultry, and prevent dangerous diseases transmitted from animals to humans through food consumption.

Ministers of relevant ministries and sectors, Chairmen of provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for implementing this Directive.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for monitoring and reporting to the Prime Minister the results of the implementation of this Directive.