Thông tư 17/2014/TT-BNNPTNT

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON AQUATIC ANIMAL EPIDEMIC PREVENTION AND COMBATING

Pursuant to the Law on Fishery in 2003;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Veterinary Medicine dated April 29, 2004;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 33/2005/NĐ-CP dated March 15, 2005 detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Ordinance on Veterinary Medicine; the Government's Decree No. 119/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 28, 2008, amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Decree No. 33/2005/NĐ-CP;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 199/2013/NĐ-CP dated November 26, 2013 defining the functions, tasks, entitlements and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

At the request of Director General of Department of Animal Health;

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgates the Circular regulating aquatic animal epidemic prevention and combating.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope and regulated entities

1. This Circular regulates aquatic animal epidemic prevention and combating.

2. This Circular applies to foreign or domestic organizations, individuals involved in production, trading, transport, preliminary processing, processing of aquatic animals in the territory of Vietnam.

Article 2. Interpretation of terms

In this Circular, some terms are construed as follows:

1. Farming facilities mean places where aquatic animals are raised and harvested including ponds, marshes, lakes, cages, houseboat rafts and other enclosures owned by organizations or individuals.

2. Hot spot means a farming facility where aquatic animals are infected with diseases as defined in the list subject to announcement of outbreak.

3. Infected zone means an area where a number of hot spots exist and are determined by an agency specializing in aquatic veterinary drugs.

4. New disease means a disease that has recently appeared in Vietnam and is not yet included in the list of diseases subject to announcement of outbreak, able to spread rapidly and cause mass mortality to aquatic animals.

5. Infected aquatic animals mean aquatic animals that show abnormal signs but typical symptoms of the disease are not yet seen.

6. Aquatic animals suspected of contracting a disease mean aquatic animals that show symptoms of a disease from the hot spot but its pathogen is not yet determined or from other farming facilities in the infected zone with symptoms not shown yet.

7. Infected aquatic animals mean aquatic animals that show abnormal signs but typical symptoms of the disease are not yet seen.

8. Aquatic animals suspected of infection mean the disease-prone aquatic animals that live in the same water with aquatic animals infected or suspected of contracting disease.

Article 3. Principles of aquatic animal epidemic prevention, combating and reporting

1. Prevention is essential. Epidemic disease must be placed under close surveillance based on environmental monitoring in combination with communications and propaganda about epidemic prevention and combating.

2. Activities of epidemic prevention and combating must be proactive, positive, timely and effective.

3. Collection, filing and reporting on epidemic and area of aquaculture must be carried out punctually, accurately and adequately according to the Department of Animal Health’s guidelines.

Article 4. Epidemic disease reporting

1. Unregular reports on hot spots:

Owner of the production facility who detects aquatic animals being infected, suspected of contracting a disease as defined in the list subject to announcement of outbreak or as a new disease must make the report to a person who is in charge of veterinary task at commune, ward and town levels (hereinafter referred to as commune-level veterinary attendant) and People’s committees of communes or agencies specializing in aquatic veterinary drug where appropriate;

b) Commune-level veterinary attendant shall be responsible for determining information on aquatic animals being infected, suspected of contracting disease at the production facility and make the report to the agencies specializing in aquatic veterinary drug at provincial-level communes, towns and cities (hereinafter referred to as the veterinary facility) and People’s committees of communes;

c) The veterinary facility shall make the report to Branch of Animal Health or the agencies specializing in aquatic veterinary drug at central-affiliated cities and provinces (hereinafter referred to as Branch of Animal Health) and People’s committees of districts;

d) Branch of Animal Health shall make the report to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, regional veterinary agencies and Department of Animal Health;

dd) Regional veterinary agencies shall make the report to Department of Animal Health;

e) Department of Animal Health shall make the report to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on developments of hot spots;

g) Reports on hot spots or new disease from organizations, individuals as prescribed in Points a, b, c, d, dd, e of this Clause must be made within 48 hours with respect to delta communes or 72 hours with respect to remote communes when epidemic strikes in large scale since detection, or since information on aquatic infected or suspected of contracting disease is received.

2. Epidemic reports:

a) Epidemic situations shall be updated with respect to any hot spot confirmed by Branch of Animal Health;

b) Reports must be made before 16:00 everyday until the epidemic phase is completed including public holidays and New Year's holidays;

c) The veterinary facility shall make the report to Branch of Animal Health and People’s committees of districts;

d) Branch of Animal Health shall make the report to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, regional veterinary agencies and Department of Animal Health;

3. Reports on hot spot investigation:

a) Reports on investigation into a hot spot shall be made in case such hot spot is confirmed by competent agency as a disease as defined in the list subject to announcement of outbreak or as a new disease;

b) Reports on investigation into hot spots and collection of information shall be carried out in forms;

c) Branch of Animal Health shall be responsible for reporting result of investigation to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, regional veterinary agencies and Department of Animal Health within seven days since the investigation is completed.

4. Within seven days since the hot spot is done according to law provisions, Branch of Animal Health shall be responsible for making general report on the hot spot and results of epidemic prevention and combating.

5. Reports on new diseases:

a) Branch of Animal Health shall make the report to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, regional veterinary agencies and Department of Animal Health on the spread of epidemic disease;

b) Department of Animal Health shall make the report to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on developments of epidemic disease;

6. Regular reports:

a) Monthly reports: Figures for reporting shall be worked out from the first to last day of month. Reports shall be made in the form of documents and electronic files, specifically as follows: The veterinary facility shall make the report to Branch of Animal Health before 10^th of the following month; Branch of Animal Health shall make the report to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, regional veterinary agencies and Department of Animal Health before 15^th of the following month;

b) Quarterly reports shall be made in the first week of the following quarter;

c) Reports in the first six months of the year shall be made before July 15;

d) Annual reports shall be made before January 15 of the following year;

dd) Contents of regular reports shall conform to the form issued by Department of Animal Health including: epidemic disease (must be analyzed in space and time, and infected subjects: details of each disease and specific subject), judgments on epidemic disease, developed epidemic prevention and combating measures, shortcomings, difficulties, measures to be taken, proposals and petitions.

7. Reports on epidemic surveillance:

a) Branch of Animal Health shall make the report to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, regional veterinary agencies and Department of Animal Health on results of epidemic surveillance and forecasting, local epidemic prevention and combating measures.

b) Department of Animal Health shall make the report to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development results of epidemic surveillance and forecasting, epidemic prevention and combating measures across the country.

c) Reports on results of epidemic surveillance must be made within ten days since the surveillance program is completed.

Chapter II

EPIDEMIC PREVENTION

Article 5. Construction and development of aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan

Annually, Branch of Animal Health shall preside over and cooperate with relevant organizations in constructing and developing an aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan in the following steps:

1. Assess local aquaculture conditions in the year;

2. Analyze results of aquatic epidemic surveillance in previous year and organize further investigation into aquatic breed farming facilities, aquatic production facilities (if necessary) serving the formation of the plan in the following year.

3. Analyze and assess results of environmental monitoring and warnings, main water sources supplied to aquatic production zones, period of time when epidemic disease often appears in a year to identify position and time for collecting balneological, microorganism samples and vectors; factors concerning generation and spread of aquatic epidemic in the locality; epidemiological criteria and other related criteria to be test for identifying likeliness of generation, for predicting generation and spread of aquatic epidemic disease in the locality.

4. Identify necessary resources such as human, material, and financial resources for developing prevention and combating measures, for supporting owners of farming facilities in environmental and epidemic disease surveillance, even when an outbreak happens but the owners are yet to have sufficient conditions to make the announcement, and when the announcement is made.

5. Propose criteria, frequency, positions for collecting samples, quantity of aquatic and environmental samples in reliance on technical standards, Vietnam's standards on epidemic disease monitoring and investigation, aquacultural environmental hygiene conditions, aquatic breeds and aquaculture production and trading facilities.

6. Build plan for epidemic disease prevention and combating as prescribed in Article 6 hereof;

7. Report aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development for submission to People’s Committees of provinces for approval;

8. Organize the development of the approved aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan;

9. Send the approved aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan to regional animal health agencies and Department of Animal Health for cooperation in instructing and monitoring the implementation.

10. In case the plan is revised, Branch of Animal Health shall submit the revised aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan to regional animal health agencies and Department of Animal Health.

Article 6. Contents of aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan

1. Environmental monitoring: balneological criteria, frequency, quantity of samples and positions of collecting samples for analysis.

2. Epidemic disease surveillance: Aquatic species under surveillance, location, time, frequency of collecting samples, types of aquatic, environmental samples, quantity of samples, related information and pathogens to be identified; when an outbreak happens or there is a sudden change to the environment, it is necessary to collect pathology specimen, environmental samples for testing to identify the pathogen.

3. Investigation into hot spots and epidemic combating measures

4. Preparations of materials, chemicals, expenditure and human forces for developing prevention and combating measures including supports to owners of farming facilities in case of epidemic announcement and even when an outbreak happens but the owners are yet to have sufficient conditions to make the announcement in the locality.

5. Preparations of facilities necessary for serving diagnosis, testing, surveillance and investigation into hot spots, formation of epidemiological map and data analysis;

6. Communication, propaganda and training to aquaculturists, commune-level veterinary attendants in policies, state regulations and guiding documents issued by aquatic veterinary and aquaculture agencies;

7. Assign responsibilities to relevant agencies, units for developing aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan;

Article 7. Aquatic epidemic surveillance

1. Department of Animal Health shall preside over and cooperate with relevant units in constructing a nationwide program of aquatic epidemic disease surveillance and making the submission to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval before implementation.

2. Branch of Animal Health shall preside over and cooperate with relevant units in constructing and making the report on a local-level program of aquatic epidemic disease surveillance to the Serivce of Agriculture and Rural Development for submission to People’s committees of provinces for approval before implementation as follows:

a) Instruct the veterinary facility and commune-level veterinary attendants to cooperate with relevant agencies in constructing and submitting for approval and implementing the surveillance program including regular collection of samples for testing and examination of environmental criteria;

b) As for environmental criteria examined at farming facilities, veterinary staff shall record, file the results and make the report to the veterinary facility;

c) As for environmental criteria and diseases with the causes being unidentified, the veterinary facility shall carry out collection of samples, storage and dispatching to Branch of Animal Health’s laboratory.

d) As for criteria that can not be test due to lack of conditions, Branch of Animal Health shall dispatch sample to the laboratory that belongs to Department of Animal Health or a laboratory appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (hereinafter referred to as the designated lab);

dd) Upon receipt of analysis and test results, Branch of Animal Health shall make the announcement accompanied by specific instructions on prevention measures to the owners of farming facilities for implementation;

e) Report surveillance results to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, regional veterinary agencies and Department of Animal Health for analysis and directing aquatic epidemic disease prevention tasks as prescribed in Clause 7, Article 4 hereof.

Article 8. Communication, propaganda and training in aquatic epidemic prevention

Communication, propaganda and training in aquatic epidemic prevention and combating must ensure the followings:

1. Subjects: organizations, individuals involved in such activities as environmental monitoring and warnings, aquatic production, trading, transportation, preliminary processing and processing, epidemic disease prevention and combating.

2. Subject matters: policies, regulations and guiding documents issued by aquatic veterinary agencies.

3. Manner: one or more different manners but it is necessary to ensure regularity, quickness and efficiency.

4. Location: Propaganda must be carried out before crops and in case an outbreak happens.

5. Responsibilities:

a) Department of Animal Health shall preside over and cooperate with Directorate of Fisheries in constructing and providing guidance on the deployment of programs of communication, propaganda, and training in aquatic epidemic prevention and combating across the country.

b) Branch of Animal Health shall construct and deploy programs of communication, propaganda, and training in aquatic epidemic prevention and combating across the country.

Article 9. Responsibilities of owners of farming facilities

1. Owners of aquatic breeds farming facilities shall be responsible for:

a) Complying with local aquaculture planning, technical regulations and regulations on aquatic breed production;

b) Sources of water must be so processed to be fully disinfected before being used for production;

c) Production system must ensure ease of sanitation and disinfection, efficiency of epidemic combating; must be equipped with a separate water supply and drainage system; wastewater and waste must be so processed to meet conditions for discharge;

d) Use parental aquatic breeds with clear origins and must obtain certificate of pest quarantine issued by competent agencies; Upon finding parental aquatic breeds show signs of abnormality, suspected of contracting disease, carry out isolation, tighten combating and stop reproduction;

dd) Use food, biological products, drugs and chemicals that belong to the list eligible for use or circulation in Vietnam; As for home-made and fresh foods, veterinary hygiene, epidemic safety and environmental protection must be ensured;

e) Carry out environmental management and application of technical measures in epidemic prevention as instructed by aquatic veterinary and aquaculture agencies during production;

g) Must obtain biological safety combating process to ensure disease-free breeds;

h) Record aquatic breed production process according to the Circular No. 26/2013/TT-BNNPTNT dated May 22, 2013 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on management of aquatic breeds;

2. Responsibilities of owners of aquaculture facilities:

a) Comply with aquaculture planning and stocking schedule as directed by local aquaculture agencies;

b) Comply with technical process on preparation of facilities, water quality management and aquatic health care;

c) Use food, biological products, drugs and chemicals that belong to the list eligible for circulation in Vietnam; As for home-made and fresh foods, veterinary hygiene, epidemic safety and environmental protection must be ensured;

d) Aquaculture system must be designed in a way to ensure hygiene, ease of disinfection and efficiency of epidemic combating

dd) Carry out environmental management and application of technical measures in epidemic prevention as instructed by aquatic veterinary and aquaculture agencies during the production;

e) Fully record aquaculture process and aquatic care as directed by aquaculture agencies;

g) Have a waste and wastewater treatment area; When aquatic animals contract disease, the water must be processed in a way to ensure it is totally free from disease before discharge to the environment.

3. In case cages, houseboat rafts, hanging enclosures are used for raising aquatic animals, the owners must execute provisions set out in Point b, c, d, dd and e, Clause 2 of this Article and the followings:

a) Arrange cages, houseboat rafts, hanging enclosures at the locations under planning or permitted by competent agencies;

b) Density of cages, houseboat rafts, hanging enclosures as directed by aquatic veterinary, aquaculture agencies;

c) Regularly inspect raised aquatic animals for colors, parasites, pathogenic hazards, signs of abnormality. Upon finding aquatic animals contract disease or suspected of contracting disease, carry out isolation, treatment and make notifications to nearby farming households and commune-level veterinary attendants for early handling or reaping harvest if necessary as prescribed in Article 16 hereof;

d) Carry out regular inspection, cleaning, detoxification and disinfection of raising tools;

dd) Ensure raising density as directed by aquaculture agencies;

4. Responsibilities of owners of aquatic trading and transport facilities:

a) Use equipment, containers, storage and transport methods properly;

b) Transport of aquatic breeds requires a certificate of pest quarantine issued by aquatic veterinary agencies;

c) Storage and transport system must ensure veterinary hygiene, proper disinfection before and after use; wastewater and waste substances must be processed to meet requirements before discharge.

Chapter III

EPIDEMIC DISEASE COMBATING

Article 10. Epidemic disease declaration

1. Owners or persons who detect aquatic animals contract disease, die of the disease or suspected of contracting diseases that belong to the list subject to announcement as epidemic disease or as new disease shall be responsible for making notifications to competent agencies as prescribed in Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular.

2. In case an epidemic disease spreads rapidly on a large scale, causing mass mortality to aquatic animals, the owners of farming facilities or persons who detect the epidemic, commune-level veterinary attendants, veterinary facility may make the report direct to authorities, branches of animal health, Department of Animal Health for early handling.

Article 11. Investigation into hot spots

1. Principles of investigation into hot spots:

a) Investigation into hot spots must be done within three days since detection or receipt of notice that aquatic animals contract disease, suspected of contracting disease in order to identify pathogens and other factors that cause spread of the epidemic;

b) Collected information about the hot spot must be detailed, adequate, accurate and timely;

c) Before investigation is conducted, the followings must be adequately prepared: information about the environment and epidemic disease; raw materials, tools, facilities and chemicals necessary for the investigation; sample taking, storage and transport tools; applicable regulations on epidemic prevention and combating; necessary human, material and financial resources, personal protective equipment; forms and tools for collection of information.

2. Subject matters of investigation into hot spots

a) Collect initial information about environmental monitoring parameters before and during the outbreak; identify basic epidemiological characteristics and existence of the hot spot; retrieve origin of the hot spot;

b) Assess and complete information about hot spot at farming facilities, including: making comparison against previously reported information, environmental parameters and changes (if any), clinic tests, quantity, species, age group, day of detection of disease, affected area, stocking area, used drug, chemicals, manner of production; monitor developments of the epidemic disease in the affected area;

c) Describe developments of the hot spot over time, location, aquatic animals contracting disease or suspected of contracting disease, preliminary evaluation of causes of the hot spot;

d) Propose conducting research on risky factors;

dd) Carry out summary, analysis, assessment and diagnosis to identify hot spot, epidemic disease and its spread;

e) Make report on investigation results, judgement and predictions about epidemic situation in the following period, propose epidemic prevention and combating measures;

3. Responsibilities for investigation into hot spots:

a) Commune-level veterinary attendants must be present in affected farming facilities (facilities with aquatic animals contracting diseases or suspected of contracting diseases) to obtain information and make the report according to prescribed forms, and at the same time make the report on epidemic situation as prescribed in Articles 3, 4 hereof;

b) The veterinary facility shall appoint its staff to be present in affected farming facilities to give guidance on handling of hot spot, take sample for testing, verify origin of epidemic disease and make the report as prescribed in Articles 3, 4 hereof;

c) Branch of Animal Health shall conduct investigation according to principles and provisions set out in Clauses 1, 2 of this Article; test samples and make the report as prescribed in Article 12 and Articles 3, 4 respectively hereof;

d) Regional veterinary agencies shall provide guidance and support Branch of Animal Health in the investigation into hot spots;

dd) Department of Animal Health shall direct, inspect and monitor the investigation into hot spot conducted by Branch of Animal Health. In case the information provided by Branch of Animal Health is found unclear or steps of investigation taken unsatisfactory, or the hot spot showing signs of complications, Department of Animal Health shall carry out investigation into the hot spot itself.

Article 12. Collecting specimens for diagnosis, testing to identify pathogens

1. Agencies responsible for investigation shall collect specimen for testing to identify pathogens. The specimen must be sent to the lab appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development within one day since the collection of specimen is done.

2. Within seven days since receipt of the specimen, the appointed lab shall be responsible for making diagnosis, testing and reporting the result to the agency that sends the specimen. In case the pathogen is not yet identified, a written notice must be issued to the agency that sends the specimen.

3. In case the pathogen is not yet identified, the appointed lab shall be responsible for cooperating with other labs in conducting the tests or making the report to Department of Animal Health for instructions.

4. In case a pathology specimen is found unsatisfactory in terms of quantity and quality, the appointed lab shall carry out itself or ask relevant agencies to carry out re-collection of specimen, additional specimen for diagnosis.

5. If test results of the first hot spots shall represent those of the remaining hot spots in the same commune and in the same phase of outbreak. Conclusions on the remaining hot spots shall be based on clinic signs of infected aquatic animals and water environment.

Article 13. Conditions and authority for epidemic announcement

1. President of People’s committees of provinces shall announce epidemic in case the following conditions are met:

a) Hot spots are identified and belong to the list subject to announcement of outbreak and show signs of quick and wide spread.

b) President of People’s committees of districts has issued a written notice about development of epidemic disease;

c) Branch of Animal Health or Department of Animal Health has come to the conclusion that the disease belongs to the list subject to announcement of outbreak and issued a written request for announcement.

2. President of People’s committees of provinces shall decide announcement of hot spot in the following cases:

a) Epidemic occurs in two districts and over at the same time;

b) In case epidemic occurs in one district, presidents of People’s committees of provinces shall make the announcement or authorize People’s committees of districts where the epidemic occurs to make the announcement.

3. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall make the announcement upon receipt of test results submitted by Department of Animal Health confirming that the disease belongs to the list subject to announcement of outbreak and is likely to cause wide spread across the area from two district and over.

4. When public announcement is carried out, competent persons must announce zone under threat and buffer zone simultaneously; in case an affect zone is bordering provinces and districts, competent persons as prescribed in Clauses 1, 2 of this Article must make notifications to relevant People’s committees for announcement of zone under threat and buffer zone.

Article 14. Epidemic combating

1. Measures to combat and handle hot spots:

a) Restrict access of unauthorized people to the hot spot; persons in charge must do the cleaning, detoxification and disinfection before leaving the hot spot.

b) Identification of hot spot, detoxification and disinfection of hot spot, equipment and tools used for aquaculture, treatment of wastewater, waste substances, environmental pollution and application of necessary veterinary hygiene measures in the affected area must conform to the guidelines issued by Branch of Animal Health, provincial aquaculture agencies.

2. Upon announcement, presidents of People’s committees of provinces shall be responsible for:

a) Forming the provincial steering committee for epidemic disease (hereinafter referred to as the steering committee); The committee consists of leader of People’s committees of provinces as Head of the committee, leader of the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development as Deputy Head, leaders of relevant departments and sectors as executives;

b) Directing sectors of agriculture and rural development to cooperate with relevant departments, levels, organizations and individuals in the locality in mobilizing human and material resources according to law provisions to carry out epidemic combating measures.

c) Taking the initiative in using local reserve funds or making proposals to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for provision of national reserve chemicals as supports to the locality for epidemic combating tasks.

3. Presidents of People’s committees of districts shall be responsible for:

a) Organizing the implementation of epidemic prevention and combating measures as directed by the provincial steering committee, including the formation of district-level steering committee for epidemic diseases;

b) Organizing propaganda and dissemination of epidemic combating measures in the administrative division;

c) Implement policies to support the fight against epidemics, remedy consequences caused by the epidemic and restore farming in the province;

d) Make submission to Presidents of the provincial People’s committees for financial, material and human supports when conditions for epidemic combating are out of local capacity;

dd) Report to president of People’s committees of provinces results of epidemic combating and implementation of policies on supports to epidemic prevention and combating;

4. Responsibilities of presidents of People’s Committees of communes:

a) Take epidemic combating measures as directed by upper level steering committees;

b) Organize surveillance and handling infected aquatic animals as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 16 hereof;

c) Organize propaganda and dissemination of epidemic combating measures in the administrative divisions;

d) Implement policies to support the fight against epidemics, remedy consequences caused by the epidemic and restore farming in the administrative division;

dd) Report to People’s committees of upper levels and aquatic veterinary agencies results of epidemic combating and implementation of policies on supports to epidemic prevention and combating;

5. Responsibilities of Department of Animal Health:

a) Provide guidance on epidemic combating measures to Branch of Animal Health; support local authorities in combating epidemic or be directly involved in the combat in case of need;

b) Make submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for making proposals to the Prime Minister for supporting chemicals from national reserve fund to localities for combating epidemic; In case of emergency or when outbreak is likely to spread extensively as prescribed in the Law on Reserve, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall decide receipt or dispatch of national reserves with value corresponding to level of state budget expenditure granted to the Minister of Finance as prescribed in the Law on State Budget;

c) Instruct Branch of Animal Health to conduct investigation and assessment of hot spots; keep contact with experts at home and abroad for identifying vectors in case of new diseases or unidentified diseases.

6. Branch of Animal Health shall be responsible for advising, instructing and participating in the implementation of epidemic combating measures, determining losses caused by the outbreak, monitoring and assessing efficiency of epidemic prevention and combating tasks, carrying out statistical work and reports on area for stocking, affected area, results of epidemic prevention and combating tasks, and implementing policy on supports for epidemic prevention and combating.

7. Commune-level veterinary attendants must instruct owners of farming facilities how to handle infected aquatic animals as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 16 hereof; make statistical report on area for stocking and infected area; participate in detoxification and disinfection; cooperate with veterinary agencies in taking pathology specimen.

8. Owners of farming facilities, relevant organizations, and individuals must take proper measures of epidemic prevention and combating at the request of competent agencies.

9. In case the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development makes an announcement of outbreak, relevant organizations, and individuals must execute the tasks as prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this Article.

Article 15. Control of transport of aquatic animals in infected zone

1. Branch of Animal Health shall reinforce control of transport of aquatic animals upon announcement of epidemic.

2. Aquatic animals shall be permitted to be transported out of infected zone after they are properly handled as instructed and issued the certificate of pest quarantine by Branch of Animal Health.

3. Restrict transport of aquatic breeds that are sensitive to the epidemic disease under announcement through the infected zone. In case transport of such aquatic breeds through the infected zone must be done, make a written notice and follow the instructions by Branch of Animal Health;

Article 16. Handling of hot spots and aquatic animals contracting disease

1. Owners of farming facilities shall be responsible for handling the hot spot as follows:

a) Make the report as prescribed in Article 4 hereof and at the same notify nearby farming facilities for taking proper prevention measures;

b) Do not discharge untreated wastewater, waste to the environment; handle aquatic animals contracting disease as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article;

c) Do not throw aquatic animals contracting disease, dead or suspected of contracting disease to the environment;

d) Cure, harvest or handle aquatic animals contracting disease, dead or suspected of contracting disease as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article; take measures to prevent spread of epidemic disease as instructed by veterinary agencies;

2. Owners shall carry out handling of aquatic animals contracting disease in either of the following manners:

a) Harvest aquatic animals contracting disease: follow provisions set out in Article 17 hereof for aquatic animals that reach marketable size, can be used as food, animal feed or other purposes (except aquatic animals used as breeds or fresh food for other aquatic animals);

b) Cure aquatic animals contracting disease: follow provisions set out in Article 18 hereof for aquatic animals that contract disease and are confirmed by veterinary agencies as curable;

c) Destroy aquatic animals contracting disease: follow provisions set out in Article 19 hereof for aquatic animals that contract disease and are not defined in Points a, b, Clause 2 of this Article;

Article 17. Harvest of aquatic animals in hot spots

1. Owners harvesting aquatic animals in hot spots shall be responsible:

a) Notifying veterinary facilities of use purposes, quantity, handling measures, implementation plans and monitoring measures for the use of aquatic animals contracting disease;

b) Not using aquatic animals contracting disease as breeds, fresh food for other aquatic animals;

c) Transporting aquatic animals to trading and processing facilities (hereinafter referred to as receiving facilities);

2. Receiving facilities must ensure disease-free during processing, preliminary processing;

3. In case aquatic animals are used as food for terrestrial animals or other purposes, the veterinary facility must make the report in order for Branch of Animal Health to:

a) Direct the veterinary facility or appoint personnel to carry out instructing and monitoring harvest, storage and transport of aquatic animals contracting disease by farming facilities;

b) Notify name, address of receiving facilities to agro-forestry and aquatic quality control agencies at province level for conducting monitoring;

c) Report results to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Animal Health;

Article 18. Curing aquatic animals contracting disease

1. Responsibilities of owners of farming facilities:

a) Take the initiative in curing aquatic animals contracting disease as instructed by Branch of Animal Health;

b) Only drugs, chemicals and biological products as defined in the list of veterinary drugs, biological products, microorganisms and chemicals used as aquatic veterinary drug and eligible for circulation in Vietnam are used.

2. Responsibilities of commune-level veterinary attendants and private attendants:

a) Provide guidance on treatment regimen of aquatic animals contracting disease to owners of farming facilities;

b) Take the initiative in curing aquatic animals contracting disease as instructed by veterinary agencies;

c) Only drugs, chemicals and biological products as defined in the list of veterinary drugs, biological products, microorganisms and chemicals used as aquatic veterinary drug and eligible for circulation in Vietnam are used.

3. Responsibilities of Branch of Animal Health:

a) Provide guidance on treatment regimen of aquatic animals contracting disease to commune-level veterinary attendants and private attendants;

b) Cooperate with Branch of Animal Health, farming facilities, organizations and individuals in testing the treatment regimen;

c) Report efficiency of treatment regimen to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development, Branch of Animal Health; propose testing and promulgation of new treatment regimens found more effective;

4. Responsibilities of Department of Animal Health:

a) Promulgate treatment regimen;

b) Organize inspection and assessment of treatment regimens and use of drugs, chemicals and biological products for curing disease;

Article 19. Destroying aquatic animals contracting disease

1. Sequence of destruction:

a) Department of Animal Health shall make the report to the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development to issue a written notice to presidents of People’s committees of districts for making decision on destruction and establishment of a task force (a team to carry out the destruction);

b) The task force consists of representatives of Branch of Animal Health, provincial aquaculture agencies, People’s committees of communes, owners of farming facilities or aquatic trading facilities;

c) Within 24 hours since the establishment decision is issued, the task force shall be responsible for taking action (zoning the hot spot identified in the destruction decision); proposing use of chemicals for destruction of the hot spot, making written record with confirmations from owners of farming facilities or aquatic trading facilities;

2. Only chemicals used for destruction and disinfection and coming from national reserve fund, local reserve fund or other chemicals of similar uses as defined in the list of veterinary drugs, biological products, microorganisms and chemicals eligible for circulation in Vietnam are used.

3. Expenses for destruction of aquatic animals contracting disease shall be paid by local authorities.

Article 20. Disinfection after harvest, destruction of hot spots

1. Owners of facilities must disinfect water in tanks, ponds, marshes; disinfect tools, equipment, cages, nets, handle substrate, kill crustacean and vectors by use of permissible chemicals after harvest or carry out destruction of aquatic animals ensuring no pathogens, chemical residues and environmental hygiene.

2. Those who participate in the process of handling, destroying aquatic animal must perform personal hygiene to kill and prevent pathogens from spreading into the environment and other farms.

Article 21. Handling measures for unaffected farming facilities with infected zones during the announcement of epidemic

Owners of farming facilities must take the following measures:

1. Apply biological safety measures and regularly do the cleaning and detoxification of the environment and farming area;

2. Intensify care and improve resistance of aquatic animals;

3. No stocking or addition of aquatic animals during the announcement of epidemic;

4. Particularly for ponds, marshes, change of water should not be done during the announcement of epidemic;

5. Strengthen active surveillance for early detection of aquatic diseases and take prevention measures in time;

Article 22. Announcement of end of outbreak

1. Announcement of end of outbreak must meet the following conditions:

a) No new hot spot is found within at least 15 days since the last hot spot is handled as prescribed in Articles 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 hereof;

b) Overall cleaning, disinfection and detoxification of the infected zones must be completed;

2. Authorities to announce end of outbreak:

a) People’s committees of communes shall decide announcement of end of outbreak across the commune as proposed by the veterinary facility enclosed with a written approval issued by Branch of Animal Health;

b) People’s committees of provinces shall decide announcement of end of outbreak across the province as proposed by Branch of Animal Health enclosed with a written approval issued by Department of Animal Health;

c) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall decide announcement of end of outbreak from two provinces and over upon receipt of report on satisfaction of conditions for announcement of end of outbreak made by Department of Animal Health.

3. In reliance on real-life situations, local aquaculture agencies shall direct facilities to continue or stop raising aquatic animals

4. During the main crop, farming facilities that are subject to destruction or harvest of aquatic animals due to epidemic shall be instructed by commune-level aquaculture agency to stock breeds after end of outbreak is announced.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 23. Responsibilities of Department of Animal Health

1. Construct and submit the national program for aquatic epidemic prevention and combating to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval and provide guidance on the implementation after approval.

2. Construct and submit the programs for epidemiological surveillance and research to competent authorities for approval, instruct and organize the implementation of such programs, conduct the investigation into hot spots and construct epidemiological map of aquatic diseases.

3. Instruct, investigate and monitor deployment of aquatic epidemic prevention and combating tasks.

4. Examine and instruct use of chemicals from national reserve funds for aquatic epidemic prevention and combating tasks;

5. Promulgate and instruct use of report forms for aquatic epidemic disease;

6. Organize training in aquatic epidemic prevention and combating measures for veterinary facilities, branches of animal health and units to Department of Animal Health;

7. Cooperate with relevant organizations, individuals at home and abroad in studying and applying aquatic epidemic prevention and combating measures, carrying out communications and propaganda about aquatic epidemic prevention and combating;

Article 24. Responsibilities of Directorate of Fisheries

1. Direct and provide guidance to localities on planning of concentrated aquatic farming;

2. Construct and submit technical standards and regulations on production of aquatic breeds and aquaculture for satisfaction of requirements for epidemic safety to competent authorities for approval; execute aforesaid regulations and standards.

3. Promulgate and instruct use of written forms in aquaculture;

4. Direct, inspect and issue guidance to local aquaculture agencies, farming facilities on the implementation of environmental monitoring, production of aquatic breeds and aquaculture to meet requirements for aquatic epidemic prevention and combating;

5. Instruct, inspect and monitor use of breeds, food, chemicals, drugs, biological products, products used for environmental remediation and handling; conduct environmental management;

6. Direct, inspect and monitor seasonal crops, application of techniques in production of aquatic breeds and marketable aquatic products;

7. Cooperate with Department of Animal Health in aquatic epidemic prevention and combating;

Article 25. People’s committees at all levels

1. Direct, inspect and monitor the construction and implementation of aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan by local departments;

2. Arrange budget for aquatic epidemic prevention and combating activities, provide supports to infected farming facilities, even when outbreak occurs but conditions for announcement of outbreak are not yet met, and when outbreak is announced;

Article 26. Responsibilities of the Service of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Act as an advisor and make submission to People’s committees of provinces for:

a) Approving aquaculture development planning and aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan;

b) Establish local reserve fund of materials, chemicals and budget for the implementation of prevention and combating measures including supports to farming facilities with aquatic animals subject to destruction, even when outbreak occurs but conditions for announcement of outbreak are not yet met, and when outbreak is announced;

c) Assign responsibilities to relevant units for constructing and developing aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan;

d) Direct relevant units in the localities to cooperate with Department of Animal Health in preventing, combating, monitoring and conducting investigation into aquatic epidemic in the locality;

dd) Direct and monitor the handling and destruction of aquatic animals contracting disease, suspected of contracting disease, mobilize local task forces as proposed by veterinary agencies; inspect and instruct the use of chemicals coming from national and local reserve funds as regulated;

2. Instruct professional agencies in the implementation of aquatic epidemic prevention and combating as prescribed hereof;

3. Manage facilities involved in production of aquatic breeds, aquaculture and epidemic safety in the localities;

Article 27. Responsibilities of Branch of Animal Health

1. Carry out investigation and field survey, construct and make submission to competent authorities for approval the aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan including annual monitoring and propaganda about aquatic epidemic in the localities; organize the implementation of the approved plan;

2. Instruct, inspect and monitor the implementation of prevention measures, cure and combat aquatic epidemic disease at farming and trading facilities, aquatic storage and transport facilities;

3. Direct and instruct veterinary facilities, commune-level veterinary attendants and owners of farming facilities in reporting epidemic according to forms; take responsibility for delivering and providing guidance on the use of forms to veterinary facilities, commune-level veterinary attendants;

4. Organize training in epidemic prevention and combating to veterinary personnel and owners of farming facilities in the administrative division under management;

5. Cooperate with relevant agencies in implementing measures to strengthen quarantine and control of transport of aquatic animals;

6. Instruct and inspect transport of aquatic animals harvested from the hot spot to processing facilities;

7. Cooperate with aquaculture agencies at provincial level in using information of environmental monitoring parameters for the construction and organization of aquatic epidemic prevention and combating plan;

Article 28. Responsibilities of aquaculture agencies at provincial level

1. Provide guidance to individuals, concentrated aquatic farming facilities under local planning;

2. Instruct, inspect and monitor the application of technical standards and regulations, processes, recording forms on production of aquatic breeds and aquaculture for satisfaction of requirements for epidemic safety;

3. Carry out environmental monitoring to meet requirements for aquatic epidemic prevention and combating;

4. Instruct, inspect and monitor the use of food, chemicals, drugs, biological products in aquaculture and environmental remediation; implement seasonal crops and take technical measures in production of aquatic breeds and marketable aquatic products;

5. Cooperate with Branch of Animal Health, regional veterinary agencies, Department of Animal Health in aquatic epidemic prevention and combating;

Article 29. Responsibilities of agro-forestry and aquatic agencies at provincial level

1. Cooperate with Branch of Animal Health in monitoring harvest and transport of aquatic animals contracting disease for food processing as requested;

2. Monitor receipt of aquatic contracting disease at the receiving facilities upon receipt of written notice from Branch of Animal Health, and provide guidance to these facilities on requirements for epidemic safety;

Article 30. Responsibilities and interests of owners of farming facilities

1. Apply prevention and combating measures; comply with regulations on quarantine, environmental observation, reports on outbreak, filing of records concerning operation processes of facilities such as studs; renovate marshes; care and manage aquatic animals; handle hot spots, waste and wastewater as instructed by Branch of Animal Health, aquaculture agencies;

2. Only studs issued with certificate of quarantine by competent agencies are used;

3. Cooperate with Branch of Animal Health, aquaculture agencies in collecting samples for monitoring and inspecting environmental parameters, epidemic, collecting information determining risk factors related to aquatic epidemic disease;

4. Join training courses in aquatic epidemic prevention and combating, farming techniques organized by Branch of Animal Health, aquaculture and agricultural agencies;

5. Be entitled to supports by the State for epidemic prevention and combating under applicable regulations;

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 31. Effect

1. This Circular takes effect since August 04, 2014.

2. This Circular replaces the followings:

a) Circular No. 36/2009/TT-BNNPTNT dated June 17, 2009 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regulating epidemic prevention and combating for aquatic animals;

b) Circular No. 52/2011/TT-BNNPTNT dated July 28, 2011 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regulating prevention and combating measures for farmed shrimp;

3. Difficulties that arise during the implementation of this Circular should be reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consideration and handling. /.