Decision No. 309/2005/QD-TTg On providing financial support for avian influenza prevention and control

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Regarding financial support for avian influenza prevention and control

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (report No. 123/TTr-BTC-NN&PTNT dated November 23, 2005),

DECISION:

Article 1. The state budget shall provide financial support for avian influenza prevention and control as follows:

1. Direct support to households, individuals, farms, cooperatives, and animal husbandry establishments (chickens, ducks, geese, swans) under central and local management (referred to in this Decision as animal breeders) to address difficulties caused by avian influenza as follows:

a) An average support level of VND 15,000 per bird culled due to disease or compulsory culling in infected areas;

b) An average support level of VND 10,000 per bird culled at the initiative of the animal breeder;

c) The support period runs from the date this Decision takes effect until the competent authority announces the end of the epidemic.

2. Financial support for avian influenza prevention and control at a rate of VND 3,000 per bird that must be culled during the epidemic and post-epidemic period according to regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on veterinary work, including costs for: Technical requirements culling birds, purchasing equipment and supplies for disease detection, diagnosis, and prevention; disinfectants and chemicals for sterilization, decontamination, and environmental sanitation; protective clothing for personnel and allowances for veterinary staff and those involved in disease prevention and control or serving at quarantine checkpoints.

Article 2. The state budget will ensure funding for support to poultry breeding establishments managed by the central government as follows:

1. Full support for feed costs for breeding flocks of original breeds and rare genetic stock breeds (only applicable to flocks currently in egg production and based on the quantity of original breeds and rare genetic stock breeds assigned by the competent state management agency to the breeding establishment) due to unsold products. Implementation period from December 1, 2005, until the competent state authority announces the end of the epidemic.

2. Support for expenses related to avian influenza prevention and control during the epidemic and post-epidemic period according to regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on veterinary work, including costs for purchasing equipment, materials, tools, disinfectants, protective clothing, and allowances for personnel involved in disease prevention and control.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to determine specific support funds according to the provisions of this Article and report consideration and decision by the Prime Minister.

Article 3. Regarding loans for poultry breeders

1. Waiving debt for one year for outstanding loan balances as of November 30, 2005, for poultry breeders who have borrowed from commercial banks and credit organizations for poultry farming but suffered losses due to avian influenza.

2. Poultry breeders currently benefiting from debt waiver may continue to borrow funds according to legal provisions if they need capital to switch to other farming activities or professions.

Article 4. Principles and sources of funds for avian influenza prevention and control.

1. The central budget will support 50% of the funds for avian influenza prevention and control.

2. For provinces newly adjusted in administrative boundaries receiving additional balance transfers from the central budget, 100% support will be provided.

3. For provinces with large numbers of culled poultry, if the provincial budget exceeds 50% of the provincial budget reserve for 2005 as allocated by the Prime Minister, the central budget will supplement the excess over 50% of the provincial budget reserve for 2005 to ensure sufficient resources for implementation. 4. Hanoi City and Ho Chi Minh City will proactively utilize their provincial budget reserves.

5. For provinces with low additional costs for avian influenza prevention and control (less than VND 1 billion), the locality will proactively use its provincial budget to handle these costs, with no support from the central budget.

1. The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, will base on the extent of damage in each locality, the actual expenditure of the provincial budget for avian influenza prevention and control, and the provisions of this Decision, compile and report

Article 5. Implementation

to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on specific support levels from the central budget for each province and centrally-administered city. 2. The State Bank of Vietnam, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, will guide the implementation of Article 3 of this Decision.

3. The Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities are responsible for:

a) Based on local conditions, actual costs for avian influenza prevention and control, and current regulations, decide on specific support levels for different types and ages of culled poultry and implement public disclosure at village and commune levels to ensure direct support to farmers; funds for avian influenza prevention and control and allowances for forces participating in disease prevention and control according to provincial directives (excluding allowances for disease control forces of enterprises);

b) Proactively use provincial budget reserves to serve avian influenza prevention and control and support affected poultry breeders. In cases where the provincial budget is strained, the locality should report to the Ministry of Finance for advance funding (the central budget will cover this portion) to proceed with implementation;

c) At the end of the epidemic or year-end, report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance on the results of avian influenza prevention and control efforts for compilation and reporting.

This Decision takes effect from the date of signature and replaces Decision No. 574/QĐ-TTg dated June 24, 2005. The Prime Minister.

Article 6. This Decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces Decision No. 574/QD-TTg dated June 24, 2005.

Article 7. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, and Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees and Municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for enforcing this Decision.