Decision No. 408/QD-TTg on improving the Central Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee for Food Safety

Pursuant to …;

Strengthening the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Food Safety at the Central Level

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PRIME MINISTER

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 79/2008/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2008 of the Government stipulating the organizational structure for management, inspection, and testing related to food safety;

Pursuant to Decision No. 34/2007/QĐ-TTg dated March 12, 2007 of the Prime Minister on the issuance of the Regulation on the establishment, organization, and operation of inter-ministerial coordination organizations;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Health,

DECISION:

Article 1. Strengthen the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Food Safety at the Central Level based on the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Food Safety established pursuant to Decision No. 48/2005/QĐ-TTg dated March 8, 2005 of the Prime Minister.

The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Food Safety at the Central Level (hereinafter referred to as the Steering Committee) is an advisory body assisting the Prime Minister in directing, guiding the implementation, and inspecting the execution of food safety activities.

Article 2. Tasks of the Steering Committee

1. Studying and proposing to the Prime Minister policies, mechanisms, and solutions in state management of food safety.

2. Assisting the Prime Minister in directing and coordinating the activities of ministries, sectors, localities, and relevant agencies in handling inter-sectoral issues related to food safety. In cases where food safety issues become complex and affect public health on a wide scale, promptly recommending measures to the Prime Minister for resolution.

3. Assisting the Prime Minister in urging and inspecting the implementation of food safety activities by ministries, sectors, provincial People's Committees, and provincial steering committees on food safety.

4. Reporting semi-annually on the activities of the Steering Committee, and reporting ad hoc as required by the Prime Minister.

Article 3. Authorities of the Steering Committee

1. Establishing working groups to assist the Steering Committee in implementing programs and plans related to food safety activities.

2. Inviting leaders of ministries, sectors, local authorities, and representatives of other relevant agencies to attend meetings and work sessions of the Steering Committee.

3. Requesting ministries, sectors, local authorities, state agencies, organizations, and individuals to provide information and materials necessary for the implementation of the Steering Committee’s tasks.

Article 4. Members of the Steering Committee

1. Chairman: Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

2. Vice-Chairman in charge: Minister of Health.

3. Vice-Chairman: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

4. Standing Member: Deputy Minister of Health.

5. Members:

- Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade;

- Deputy Minister of Finance;

- Deputy Minister of Information and Communications;

- Director General of the Police General Corps - Ministry of Public Security;

- Representative of the leadership of the Hanoi People's Committee;

- Representative of the leadership of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee;

- Representative of the leadership of Vietnam Television;

- Representative of the leadership of Voice of Vietnam Radio;

- Representative of the leadership of the Vietnam Farmers' Union;

- Representative of the leadership of the Vietnam Women's Union.

Article 5. Permanent Office of the Steering Committee

The Ministry of Health serves as the permanent office of the Steering Committee, responsible for ensuring the operational conditions of the Steering Committee in accordance with Decision No. 34/2007/QĐ-TTg dated March 12, 2007 of the Prime Minister promulgating the Regulations on the establishment, organization, and operation of inter-ministerial coordination bodies.

Article 6. The operating expenses of the Steering Committee shall be covered by the State budget and allocated within the regular budget of the Ministry of Health.

Article 7. Implementation Provisions

This Decision takes effect from the date of issuance and replaces Decision No. 48/2005/QĐ-TTg dated March 8, 2005 of the Prime Minister regarding the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Food Safety.

Members of the Steering Committee, Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of central government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for implementing this Decision./.