Circular No. 32/2014/TT-BNNPTNT on environmental monitoring and warning activities in the agriculture and rural development sector

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND WARNING ACTIVITIES
IN THE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR

Decree No. Decision No. 199/2013/NĐ-CP dated November 26, 2013 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

On the basis of Law on Environmental Protection dated November 29, 2005;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment,

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgates this Circular on environmental monitoring and warning activities in the agriculture and rural development sector.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the contents of environmental monitoring and warning activities in the agriculture and rural development sector.

Article 2. This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to environmental monitoring and warning activities in the agriculture and rural development sector.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

Point 1. Environmental monitoring is a systematic process of observing the environment and factors affecting it to provide information for assessing the current status, trends in environmental quality, and adverse impacts on the environment.

Point 2. Environmental warning is an activity of notifying the trends of the environment and proposing measures to address when the environment is unfavorable or at risk of being unfavorable for agricultural production based on processing information from environmental monitoring activities.

Point 3. An unfavorable trend or risk of an unfavorable trend in agricultural production is when components of the environment such as soil, water, air exceed permissible limits set out in current National Technical Regulations (QCVN).

Point 4. An environmental monitoring unit is an organization assigned by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to carry out environmental monitoring tasks.

Chapter II
CONTENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND WARNING ACTIVITIES

Article 3. Monitoring Areas and Points

Clause 1. Environmental monitoring areas include eight areas specified in Appendix I attached hereto.

Clause 2. Environmental monitoring points within the monitoring areas are approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development based on actual monitoring needs to serve agricultural production and rural development.

Article 4. Contents of Environmental Monitoring

Clause 1. Water quality in agricultural production, processing, forestry, aquaculture, salt industry, irrigation works, rural drinking water, and concentrated livestock farming areas.

Clause 2. Soil quality in agricultural production, forestry, aquaculture, salt industry, and concentrated livestock farming areas.

Clause 3. Air quality in concentrated livestock farming, slaughterhouse, aquaculture, fishing port, and agricultural, forestry, and aquaculture product processing areas.

Article 5. Environmental Monitoring Parameters

Clause 1. Water Environment

Subpoint a) Common environmental parameters: Meteorological and hydrological factors: air temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind, waves, flow rate, rainfall; water temperature, turbidity, suspended solids (TSS), salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)₅, chemical oxygen demand (COD), sulfur dioxide (SO₄^2-, H₂c) Group III (microbial parameters): Coliform, E.coli,

Subpoint b) Nutrients: nitrate (NO₂^-), nitrite (NO₃^-), ammonia (NH₄⁺(NH₃), phosphate (PO₄³ ≥ 44%, Al₃^2-), total nitrogen (N_{g) Other groups (organic pollutants): Surfactants, oil, grease, phenol, CN.}), total phosphorus (P_{g) Other groups (organic pollutants): Surfactants, oil, grease, phenol, CN.});

Subpoint c) Heavy metals and toxic chemicals: copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr³⁺, Ni, Mn, Al and total iron (Fe⁶⁺), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), and total iron (Fe_{g) Other groups (organic pollutants): Surfactants, oil, grease, phenol, CN.});

Subpoint d) Pesticides: organochlorine group, organophosphorus group, carbamate group, synthetic pyrethroid group, neonicotinoid group, avermectin group, carbamate group, herbicides, and total radioactivity a, b;

Subpoint đ) Total phytoplankton, harmful algal species;

Subpoint e) Total bacteria, coliforms, spp., Aeromonas spp. and other pathogens causing diseases in cultured aquatic animals; spp. and pathogens causing diseases in cultured aquatic animals (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites);

Subpoint g) Organic pollutants: surfactants, oil, fat, phenol.

Clause 2. Soil Environment

Subpoint a) Soil texture, pH_{Soil pH}; pH_H2O; organic carbon percentage (OC%), total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), total potassium (K), cation exchange capacity (CEC), easily available phosphorus; mineralized nitrogen, total soluble salts, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC); calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), potassium (K) exchangeable; total copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), residual pesticides; total microorganisms;

Subpoint b) Sediment environment: organic carbon percentage (OC%), total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), total sulfur (S), easily available nutrients; oxygen demand, heavy metals, and some pathogens.

Clause 3. Air Environment

Subpoint a) Meteorological and climatic parameters: wind direction, speed, temperature, humidity, pressure, solar radiation;

Subpoint b) Environmental parameters: methane (CH₄, CH₃), hydrogen sulfide (SH), ammonia (NH₃, H₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₁₀), particulate matter (PM₂), nitrite (NO₂), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃.

Based on actual monitoring results (with progression) and the priority levels for each field in the agriculture and rural development sector, determine the location, quantity, and frequency of monitoring for environmental parameters annually.

Article 6. Methods for collecting, preserving, and analyzing environmental monitoring samples

The methods for collecting, preserving, and analyzing environmental monitoring samples shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions set forth in the following Circulars:

1. Circular No. 28/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on technical procedures for monitoring ambient air quality and noise.

2. Circular No. 29/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on technical procedures for monitoring surface water quality.

3. Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on technical procedures for monitoring groundwater quality.

4. Circular No. 31/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on technical procedures for monitoring marine water quality (including sediment and marine organisms).

5. Circular No. 32/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on technical procedures for monitoring rainwater quality.

6. Circular No. 33/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on technical procedures for monitoring soil quality.

Article 7. Compilation, Reporting, and Provision of Environmental Monitoring Information

1. Environmental Monitoring Units

a) Collecting, compiling, and processing data from monitoring activities according to assigned plans; receiving and evaluating information from organizations and individuals regarding environmental monitoring conditions within their assigned management scope;

b) Reporting monitoring results and issuing periodic and emergency environmental warnings in writing and electronically to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Department of Science, Technology, and Environment); notifying the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the monitored area, relevant General Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and production facilities where environmental monitoring takes place;

c) Establishing and storing progressive environmental monitoring databases. Reporting environmental monitoring results according to the contents specified in Model 1 and Model 2 of Appendix II attached to this Circular.

2. Relevant General Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development: Receiving, compiling monitoring results within their management areas from environmental monitoring units and related organizations and individuals; providing information about managed environmental conditions; reporting periodically and urgently when requested by the Ministry.

3. Department of Science, Technology, and Environment:

a) Organizing the receipt, processing, and storage of databases on environmental conditions and monitoring results (periodic and urgent) from monitoring units, relevant General Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, and related organizations and individuals;

b) Periodically and urgently reporting to the Ministry on agricultural and rural development sector's monitoring and environmental warning activities.

4. Related units, organizations, and individuals: Providing environmental information to environmental monitoring units, relevant General Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment immediately after investigation, survey, and related research activities through an information exchange mechanism.

Article 8. Environmental Warning

1. When detecting adverse environmental changes or potential risks to agricultural production in one locality (province or centrally governed city), the environmental monitoring unit:

a) Reports to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, relevant General Departments, and specialized Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for coordination;

b) Notifies the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development concerned so that it can submit a decision on issuing a warning and directing production facilities to respond promptly to the provincial People's Committee.

2. When detecting adverse environmental changes or potential risks to agricultural production in two or more localities, the environmental monitoring unit or related units, organizations, and individuals:

a) Report to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, relevant General Departments, and specialized Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for these General Departments and Bureaus to propose a decision on issuing a warning and directing localities to respond promptly;

b) Notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development concerned for coordination.

Chapter III
IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVE PROVISIONS

Article 9. The Department of Science, Technology and Environment

1. Is the central unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development responsible for managing environmental monitoring and warning activities in agriculture and rural development; it is responsible for organizing implementation, guiding, inspecting, and supervising the implementation of this Circular.

2. Presents to the Minister for approval the long-term and annual programs and plans for environmental monitoring and warning tasks in agriculture and rural development.

3. Manages the system and database on environmental monitoring and warning in agriculture and rural development.

Article 10. General Departments and Specialized Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Are responsible for implementing the tasks prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 7 and Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 8 of this Circular.

2. Cooperate with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment to develop long-term and annual programs and plans for environmental monitoring and warning tasks in agriculture and rural development.

3. Provide information and manage data on environmental monitoring and warning assigned to their management.

Article 11. Environmental Monitoring Units

1. Directly implement the contents of environmental monitoring and warning activities in agriculture and rural development as stipulated in this Circular.

2. Submit reports on environmental monitoring results according to the provisions of Appendix II attached to this Circular.

Article 12. Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Are responsible for implementing the related tasks prescribed in Articles 7 and 8 of this Circular.

2. Provide information and manage data on environmental monitoring and warning assigned to their management.

Article 13. Related Organizations and Individuals

1. Participate in providing information about environmental conditions as prescribed in this Circular.

2. Coordinate with environmental monitoring units, General Departments, and specialized Bureaus under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement contents related to this Circular.

Article 14. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 29, 2014.

2. During its implementation, if there are difficulties, organizations and individuals are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Department of Science, Technology and Environment) for review, amendment, and supplementation as appropriate./.

ANNEX I

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ZONE
(Annexed to Circular No. 32/2014/TT-BNNPTNT dated September 10, 2014 issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

1. Northern Mountainous Region: Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Bac Giang.

2. Red River Delta Region: Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh.

3. North Central Coast Region: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue.

4. South Central Coast Region: Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan.

5. Southeastern Region: Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

6. Mekong Delta Region: Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, An Giang, Kien Giang.

7. Central Highlands Region: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong.

8. Coastal, Island, and Sea Region of Vietnam: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Kien Giang.

 

Seal Registration Certificate

CONTENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT
(Annexed to Circular No. 32/2014/TT-BNNPTNT dated September 10,

2014 issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

Model 1: Environmental Monitoring Report by Period

 

REPORT

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING RESULTS FOR PERIOD......

I. INTRODUCTION

General introduction to the task (basis for implementation, scope and content of work, time frame).

Situation regarding production and processing (agriculture, forestry, fisheries, salt industry) in the region and at the environmental monitoring location.

II. MONITORING PROGRAM

1. Monitoring Location

Brief introduction to the location and position where monitoring is conducted.

Illustrative map of sampling points.

2. Monitoring Parameters

Introduction to the parameters monitored during the period.

3. Monitoring Equipment

Introduction to the name, code, equipment model number, main technical specifications, corresponding monitoring parameters.

4. Sampling method

Introduction to the monitoring method during the period.

5. Analytical Method

Introduction to the analytical methods for the parameters specified in the monitoring period.

6. Sampling Locations

Brief description of the sampling locations.

7. Sampling Conditions

Brief introduction to the sampling conditions. Description of weather and climate characteristics during the sampling period.

III. EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF MONITORING RESULTS

Evaluate the data and monitoring results of each round by area or province and according to the environmental parameters specified in the approved monitoring program, comparing the progressive development or assessing the differences between the monitoring parameters of this reporting period with previous periods, while also comparing with current QCVNs and TCVNs.

Draw charts and make preliminary observations on the trends of increase or decrease in values of each monitoring parameter corresponding to each area or province (charts may be in basic forms such as bar graphs or line graphs).

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

General assessment of environmental quality (soil, water, air) in the monitored areas or provinces.

Propose environmental warnings (if applicable).

Note:

(1) Name of the entity reporting the monitoring results and issuing environmental warnings;

(2) Authorized representative of the entity reporting the monitoring results and issuing environmental warnings.

Model 2: Annual Environmental Monitoring Report

REPORT

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING RESULTS FOR YEAR………

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of abbreviations.

List of tables.

List of drawings.

List of participants:

- Principal responsible person;

- Other participants.

I. INTRODUCTION

1. General introduction to the monitoring task

Objectives of the task.

Content of the task implementation.

Brief overview of the scope of the task implementation (monitoring area).

Brief introduction to natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, region, and monitoring points.

2. Situation of agricultural production and processing activities in the monitored area

Agricultural production and processing activities include agriculture, forestry, fisheries, salt industry, and rural development.

II. INFORMATION ON THE MONITORING PROGRAM

1. Monitoring Areas and Points

Description of the location and position of the monitoring site, weather and meteorological characteristics.

Illustrative map of sampling points.

2. Monitoring Parameters

Based on the approved monitoring plan, the selected monitoring parameters are characteristic indicators of pollution for various environments, and these are also the specific parameters prescribed in current QCVNs and TCVNs that are in effect.

The monitoring parameters are conducted in accordance with monitoring rounds.

3. Equipment and Monitoring Methods

Describe the field monitoring methods and laboratory analysis methods applied according to current Standards and Norms.

III. ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING RESULTS

1. Develop charts to assess environmental trends according to parameters over time and space.

2. Observations and general evaluation of the quality of each environmental component according to the parameters of the monitored areas and points during the year.

3. Describe the changes or evaluate the differences in environmental monitoring parameters between monitoring rounds.

4. Compare between areas/provinces or monitoring points and compare the monitoring results of previous years to assess environmental trends.

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

General assessment of environmental quality (soil, water, air) in the monitored areas or provinces.

Overall assessment of the environment in the monitored areas/provinces.

Propose environmental warnings (if applicable).

ANNEX

Appendix 1: List of monitoring equipment.

Appendix 2: List of analytical methods.

Appendix 3: Summary table of monitoring results.