Circular No. 30/2009/TT-BNN Issuing regulations on veterinary hygiene inspection and supervision for animal product production and business, and slaughtering animals for food purposes.

CIRCULAR

Issuing regulations on veterinary hygiene inspection and supervision for the production and trading of animal products and slaughtering animals for food purposes.

Trading of animal products and slaughtering animals for food purposes.

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Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2008/ND-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;

Pursuant to Decree No. 33/2005/ND-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/ND-CP dated November 28, 2008 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 33/2005/ND-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 stipulates the veterinary hygiene inspection and supervision for the production and trading of animal products and slaughtering animals for food purposes as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

2. Applicability:

This Circular stipulates the inspection and supervision related to the production and trading of animal products and slaughtering animals for food purposes, including the establishment of inspection and supervision plans, their implementation, inspection and supervision systems, the use of veterinary drugs and feed for livestock and poultry, handling of violations, and the allocation of responsibilities among agencies in organizing and implementing these activities.

第二条 组织和实施奖励工作的支出水平，如政府第152/2025/NĐ-CP号决定关于分级授权和奖励领域的分权规定

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals, both domestic and foreign, involved in the production and trading of animal products and slaughtering animals for food purposes.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

1. Animal products refer to fresh and processed meat from livestock and poultry, eggs, milk, and dairy products intended for food consumption.

2. Producing animal products means raising livestock and poultry with the purpose of obtaining animal products for food consumption.

3. An animal product production facility (hereinafter referred to as a production facility) is an entity, unit, organization, or individual engaged in the production of animal products.

4. Trading animal products involves collecting, processing, preserving, packaging, transporting, distributing, acting as an agent, selling, exporting, and importing animal products.

5. An animal product trading facility (hereinafter referred to as a trading facility) is an entity, unit, organization, or individual engaged in the trading of animal products.

6. Slaughtering animals refers to the act of killing livestock, poultry, and other animals for food purposes.

7. An animal slaughtering facility is an organization or individual engaged in the slaughtering of animals.

Chapter II

VETERINARY HYGIENE INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION

Article 3. Establishment and Implementation of Plans

1. For plans on veterinary hygiene inspection and supervision of animal products for export and import:

a) Plan development:

The Department of Animal Health shall lead the development of annual inspection and supervision plans and submit them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval and funding to implement the plan.

b) Implementation:

After the plan has been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and funded, the Department of Animal Health shall organize the implementation of the inspection and supervision plan, sample analysis, and report the results of inspection, supervision, and sample analysis to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with the plan for the following year, and notify the relevant authorities of the importing country when required.

c) The Planning, Finance, Science and Technology, and Environment Department, and the Quality Control Department of Forestry, Aquatic Products, and Plant Products shall cooperate with the Department of Animal Health in developing and implementing annual inspection and supervision plans and sample analysis for animal products.

2. For plans on veterinary hygiene inspection and supervision of animal products for domestic consumption:

Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of provinces and centrally-administered cities (hereinafter referred to as provinces):

a) Lead the development of annual inspection and supervision plans and submit them to the People's Committee of the province for approval and funding to implement the plan;

b) Direct the Provincial Animal Health Service to coordinate with relevant departments within the province to implement the approved plan.

Article 4. Time for conducting inspections, supervision, and sample analysis

1. Inspections, supervision, and sample analysis at animal product production and trading establishments and animal slaughterhouses shall be carried out in February to April and October to December each year according to the approved plan.

2. The quantity and types of samples for analysis shall be as stipulated in the established plan. In cases of necessity, sampling and inspection may be conducted on an ad hoc basis.

Article 5. Authorities responsible for conducting sample analysis

1. The Central Animal Health Inspection Centers I and II shall conduct sample testing for microbial contamination indicators and analyze harmful residues in animal products within their jurisdiction according to the plan approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and funded accordingly.

2. The Provincial Animal Health Service shall conduct sample testing for microbial contamination indicators and analyze harmful residues in animal products according to the plan approved by the People's Committee of the province and funded accordingly.

Article 6. Provisions on Sampling and Analysis

Sampling, the number of samples taken, and the analysis of residue indicators shall be carried out according to the annual plan attached hereto.

Article 7. Provisions on Retaining Analysis Results

Analysis results shall be retained by the analyzing authority and sent to relevant authorities.

Article 8. Inspection and Supervision of Exported and Imported Animal Products

1. Sampling for quarantine purposes for exported and imported consignments shall be carried out in accordance with regulations on export and import quarantine.

2. The number of samples for testing and analysis shall depend on the volume of the exported or imported consignment.

3. Testing and analysis criteria shall be based on requirements from the importing country and Vietnamese laws.

4. If harmful microorganisms or residues exceeding permissible limits are found in a consignment, the testing and analysis results must be immediately reported to the animal product production and trading establishment or animal slaughterhouse concerned, and they must implement handling measures as prescribed.

5. Quarantine records shall be retained by the quarantine authority.

Article 9. Provisions on Announcing Annual Inspection Plans and Reporting Inspection Results

Announcing annual inspection plans; reporting on monitoring outcomes, the number of analyzed samples, the number of analyzed indicators, and annual sample analysis handling shall be carried out by relevant agencies and units as stipulated in Chapter VI of this Circular.

Chapter III

INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION SYSTEM

Article 10. The animal health inspection and supervision system for animal product production and trading establishments and animal slaughterhouses includes:

1. For animal health inspection and supervision of animal products for export and import:

a) The Animal Health Service.

b) Regional Animal Health Services.

c) The Central Animal Health Inspection Centers I and II.

d) The Central Veterinary Drug Testing Centers I and II.

e) Provincial Animal Health Services related to the matter.

2. For animal health inspection and supervision of animal products for domestic consumption:

a) Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development.

b) Provincial Animal Health Services.

Article 11. The subjects to be inspected and supervised for animal product production and business activities, as well as animal slaughtering activities include:

1. Enterprises producing and trading in animal products for domestic consumption and export, import.

2. Facilities slaughtering animals for domestic consumption and export of animal products.

3. Livestock and poultry breeding facilities.

4. Facilities producing livestock and poultry feed.

Article 12. Duties and authorities of units within the inspection and supervision system

Units within the inspection and supervision system shall perform tasks assigned to them according to their duties and authorities, ensuring a closed-loop inspection and supervision system from the production stage through to animal slaughtering, transportation, collection, preliminary processing, packaging, preservation, and sale of animal products used as food.

Article 13. Obligations of facilities subject to inspection and supervision

Facilities producing and trading in animal products, slaughtering animals for food use, must comply with the management and supervision of state agencies authorized by law, provide relevant materials, information, samples for inspection and supervision, and fulfill obligations as prescribed by law.

Chapter IV

USE OF VETERINARY DRUGS AND FEED IN ANIMAL BREEDING

Article 14. Use of veterinary drugs in animal breeding

1. Only use types of drugs listed in the catalog of permitted veterinary drugs issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for disease prevention and treatment in animals.

Strictly prohibit the use of antibiotics listed in the catalog of prohibited antibiotics in animal breeding.

2. Drugs must be purchased from stores authorized to sell veterinary drugs.

3. Labels on veterinary drugs used in animal breeding must contain all required information as stipulated, including the specific components, indications for animal diseases, and usage instructions.

4. When using drugs, strictly follow the disease indications on the label and the manufacturer's instructions. Breeding facilities must maintain records of disease outbreaks and treatment manuals for animals.

5. Organizations and individuals breeding animals for supply to slaughterhouses for export must comply not only with legal regulations on the use of veterinary drugs and feed but also with requirements of importing countries.

Article 15. Use of feed in animal breeding

1. Feed for animal breeding must clearly indicate its components, usage methods, production date, and expiration date as prescribed.

2. Strictly prohibit mixing banned antibiotics and hormones into animal feed.

Chapter V

HANDLING VIOLATIONS

Article 16. Handling when animal products fail to meet standards during inspection and supervision

1. During testing and analysis of animal product samples, if mandatory veterinary hygiene indicators exceed permissible limits, the Veterinary Authority will take the following steps:

a) Immediately notify the results of the test and analysis to enterprises producing and trading in animal products, slaughtering animals.

b) Require enterprises to apply appropriate corrective measures.

c) Recommend competent authorities to immediately suspend the consumption of animal products from violating production and trading facilities, slaughtering animals.

d) Conduct investigations, inspections, and re-evaluations of production and trading facilities, slaughtering animals, and based on that, require the application of necessary measures to eliminate causes. Consumption of animal products can only resume after the cause has been identified and effective measures have been recognized.

2. The Department of Animal Health, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will direct related agencies to organize inspections and supervision continuously for one year against violative facilities.

3. The Department of Animal Health will implement handling measures against production and trading facilities, slaughtering animals serving exports and imports.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will implement handling measures against production and trading facilities, slaughtering animals serving domestic consumption of animal products.

Article 17. Handling when exported or imported animal products do not meet standards

1. In cases where batches exported to other countries are found by the importing country to contain microorganisms, residues exceeding permissible limits, or incorrect origin, the consignor, production facility, business entity, or abattoir with such batches must report to the Animal Health Department for coordination with relevant agencies and the importing country to discuss measures to handle the batches, while the consignor shall bear all costs associated with handling the batches.

2. In cases where imported batches of animal products do not meet standards, the competent state management agency of Vietnam shall handle according to Vietnamese law and international practices, and simultaneously notify the competent Animal Health authority of the exporting country regarding imported animal products that do not meet sanitary requirements.

Article 18. Handling when production and business facilities, abattoirs do not meet veterinary hygiene standards

1. Require the facility to implement corrective measures such as repairing, upgrading production workshops, production lines, technical procedures to be in compliance and meet standards as prescribed.

2. Recommend the competent authority to temporarily suspend operations for a limited period those facilities unable to ensure veterinary hygiene requirements to rectify the situation.

3. For facilities repeatedly violating or unable to rectify existing issues, recommend permanent suspension of operations or refusal to grant business operation permits in the field of producing, trading in animal products, and slaughtering animals until re-examination and assessment by specialized inspection and supervision agencies within the system.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 19. Responsibilities of the Animal Health Department

1. Develop, submit for approval, implement, and guide the implementation of inspection, monitoring, and testing plans for microorganisms, residue analysis in animal products at production and business facilities, abattoirs serving exports.

2. Guide district animal health offices to monitor and supervise the production and use of veterinary drugs in livestock farming, animal disease treatment, and animal product preservation.

3. Coordinate with animal product production and trading enterprises, livestock associations to train and guide farmers on the use of chemicals, veterinary drugs in livestock farming and animal disease treatment; good livestock farming practices (GAHP); application of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) systems in animal slaughter, processing, and preservation of animal products.

4. Guide the handling of violations in the use of prohibited chemicals and antibiotics in livestock farming.

5. Monitor the activities of agencies, units, enterprises engaged in the production, processing, trading of animal products, and animal slaughter within the inspection and supervision system; propose and organize the implementation of programs, plans, long-term and annual inspection and supervision campaigns.

6. Regularly compile information, analyze, evaluate, and adjust activities to align with established requirements.

7. Propose adjustments and handling of violations related to the production, processing, trading of animal products, and animal slaughter.

8. Compile annual plans, develop reports on the implementation results, adjustments, and handling of violations related to the production and trading of animal products, and animal slaughter.

Article 20. Responsibilities of the Regional Animal Health Authorities

1. Guide and coordinate with the District Animal Health Bureaus to manage and supervise the production, processing, trading, and consumption of animal products from production, processing, and trading establishments within their jurisdiction.

2. Carry out inspection and supervision tasks regarding the production, processing, trading, and consumption of animal products from production, processing, and trading establishments, and animal slaughterhouses within their jurisdiction.

3. Implement quarantine procedures and issue certificates for exported and imported animal products according to regulations and export requirements set by importing countries or consignees.

4. Conduct activities to adjust and handle violations during the production, processing, trading of animal products.

5. Report on the results of their activities to the National Animal Health Service and inform relevant organizations and individuals.

Article 21. Responsibilities of the Central Animal Health Inspection Centers I and II

1. Perform inspections and monitoring: sample collection and testing, analysis according to the annual plan approved; compile and report data to the National Animal Health Service after sampling, analysis, testing, and inspection rounds; implement programs to enhance awareness among participants in the production, trading of animal products, and animal slaughter; disseminate and apply Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP).

2. Participate in inspection and supervision rounds of production, processing, manufacturing, trading establishments of animal products, and animal slaughterhouses, and disseminate and guide livestock farmers, processors, traders of animal products, and animal slaughterers to apply measures to ensure animal health hygiene for animal products.

3. Organize inspections of animal health hygiene conditions at breeding, slaughter, processing, and preservation establishments of animal products; test microorganisms, analyze harmful residues in animal products and livestock feed for provincial Animal Health Bureaus when requested.

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Central Veterinary Drug Testing Centers I and II

1. Guide veterinary drug production and trading establishments to comply with regulations in producing and trading veterinary drugs.

2. Participate in implementing programs and plans for inspection, supervision of veterinary drug production and trading establishments for livestock farming and disease prevention and treatment in animals.

Article 23. Responsibilities of Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Develop annual plans for inspecting and supervising production, processing, manufacturing, trading establishments of animal products, and animal slaughterhouses in their locality.

2. Direct the Provincial Animal Health Bureau to organize inspections and supervision of production and trading establishments of animal products and animal slaughterhouses within their jurisdiction.

Article 24. Responsibilities of the District Animal Health Bureaus

1. Organize the implementation of inspections and supervision of production, processing, manufacturing, trading establishments of animal products, and animal slaughterhouses according to the annual plan of the locality.

2. Manage, monitor, and supervise the production and use of chemicals and veterinary drugs in animal husbandry within their jurisdiction.

3. Disseminate and guide livestock farmers, processors, traders of animal products, and animal slaughterers to apply measures to ensure animal health hygiene for animal products.

4. Coordinate with agencies under the National Animal Health Service in conducting inspections, supervision of production and trading establishments of animal products within their jurisdiction.

5. Handle violations in the use of prohibited chemicals and antibiotics in animal husbandry.

Article 25. Responsibilities of establishments producing, trading in animal products, and slaughtering animals

1. Comply with good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations, GAHP regulations; apply the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in slaughtering animals, processing, and preserving animal products.

2. Only use chemical substances and veterinary drugs that have been permitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Do not use harmful chemicals and banned antibiotics in animal husbandry, processing, and preservation of animal products.

3. Regularly report on the situation of animal diseases, production, and trading of animal products to relevant agencies for handling.

4. Maintain a list of monitored animals; maintain a record book to track the origin of each batch of animal products for tracing purposes.

5. Carry out sampling, sending samples for testing and analysis according to the annual plan.

6. Participate with relevant agencies in monitoring residual chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms during animal husbandry, slaughtering, processing, packaging, preservation, trading of exported, imported, and domestically consumed animal products.

7. Organize training and enhance knowledge for those involved in animal husbandry, slaughtering, processing, packaging, preservation, and trading of animal products; exchange information to promptly adjust and address deficiencies that do not meet requirements.

8. Report the operation results of the establishment, violations, violation handling, and related information to relevant units.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 26. Effective date

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