CIRCULAR

PROVIDING FOR ANIMAL SLAUGHTER CONTROL AND VETERINARY HYGIENE INSPECTION

Pursuant to the Law on veterinary medicine dated June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law of Food safety dated June 17, 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 199/2013/ND-CP dated 26/11/2013 by the Government defining the functions, tasks, entitlements and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development;

At the request of the Director of the Department of Animal Health,

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural development hereby promulgates this Circular providing for animal slaughter and veterinary hygiene inspection control.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

This Circular details the implementation of clauses 2 and 3 Article 74 of the Law on veterinary medicine. To be specific:

1. List of animals subject to slaughter control; List of entities subject to veterinary hygiene inspection; List of subjects of veterinary hygiene inspection.

2. Procedures for animal slaughter control; procedures and documents for veterinary hygiene inspection; samples of stamps of slaughter control and stamps of veterinary hygiene; regulations on the handling of animals/animal products unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements.

Article 2. Regulated entities

This Circular applies to domestic and foreign agencies, organizations and individuals relevant to the slaughter of terrestrial animals, the preparation and process of animals and animal products and the inspection of veterinary hygiene within Vietnam’s territory.

Article 3. List of animals subject to slaughter control; List of entities subject to veterinary hygiene inspection; List of subjects of veterinary hygiene inspection

1. The List of animals subject to slaughter control is specified in section 1 of Annex I enclosed with this Circular.

2. The List of entities subject to veterinary hygiene inspection is specified in section 2 of Annex I enclosed with this Circular.

3. The List of subjects of veterinary hygiene inspection is specified in section 3 of Annex I enclosed with this Circular.

Article 4. Requirements for to be-slaughtered animals

1. To be-slaughtered animals must be healthy, ensuriing veterinary hygiene requirements; animals which are injured or exhausted due to the transport and cannot recover but do not have clinic symptoms of infectious diseases may be priorly slaughtered.

2. To be-slaughter animals must have verified origin.

Chapter II

PROCEDURES FOR CONTROL OF SLAUGHTER OF TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS

Section 1. PROCEDURES FOR CONTROL OF SLAUGHTER OF LIVESTOCK

Article 5. Ante-mortem inspection

1. Check of documents and records of origins of to be-slaughtered animals of the slaughterhouses; the phytosanitary certificate for transport of animals according to regulations.

2. Inspection of the implementation of regulations on veterinary hygiene applicable to people carrying out the slaughter and regulations in protective clothing.

3. Clinical examination:

a) The clinical examination of animals must be conducted in the lairage which is well lighted;

b) The inspector shall observe mild symptoms of animals. Any animal suffering from infectious diseases must be isolated and  the examination of animals of the same stock with such animal shall be repeated. Any animal having a abnormality must be marked, separated from others, observed and handled according to regulations in Article 12 of this Circular;

c) Only animals which satisfy the requirements specified in Article 4, clean, have been kept in the lairage to ensuring animals returning to normal conditions and have received clinical examination before the slaughter shall be slaughtered;

d) For animals which are not slaughtered within 24 hours after the ante-mortem inspection, the clinical examination must be repeated.

4. Formulation of controlling book for noting necessary information before the slaughter, containing:

a) Name of the owner of the animal;

b) The origin of the animal;

c) Type of animal;

d) The number of the animal in the same batch;

dd) Time of receiving the animal;

e) The ante-mortem inspection results, containing the clinical symptoms and the temperature of the animal, for cases of abnormalities;

g) The number of animals which have not been slaughtered and the reasons therefor;

h) Handling measures;

i) The signature of the veterinary technician.

5. Inspection of the sanitariness, pasteurization and disinfection of the slaughterhouse, equipment and tools used in the slaughterhouse before and after the slaughter, periodically according to the guidance of veterinary authorities.

Article 6. Post-mortem inspection

1. Examine head, visceral organs (lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, stomach, intestine) and the carcass of the animal for abnormalities. Procedures for examination shall comply with the provisions of sectioon 4 and section 5 of Annex III enclosed with this Circular.

2. The examination of the carcass and its viscera after the slaughter must be conducted immediately when the carcass has been evisterate and has been cleansed and must minimize the changes in the characteristic of the carcass during the examination. The cuts on the carcass must be exactly at the positions subject to examination, the cutting must be in horizonal direction to limit the contact of the carcass with the outside environment.

3. Any pathological signs on the carcass and its viscera must be marked, separated and sent to the specialized area for final examination before the handling decision is issued; the stamp “XỬ LÝ V.S.T.Y” (Veterinary hygiene treatment) or “HỦY” (Destruction) shall be affixed according to the decision on handling of animal products unconformable to veterinary hygiene.

4. The carcass of an animal and its viscera must bear the same marks to avoid being jumble; each visceral organ must be checked in turn so that abnormalities are discovered.

5. Carcasses, viscera and edible by-products conformable to veterinary hygiene shall bear the slaughter control stamps, veterinary hygiene stamps or slaughter control or veterinary hygiene inspection marks; Quarantine Certificates serving transport of animal products shall be issued according to regulations.

Section 2. PROCEDURES FOR CONTROL OF SLAUGHTER OF POULTRY

Article 7. Ante-mortem inspection

1. Conformable to regulations in clauses 1, clause 2, points b and d clause 3, clause 4 and clause 5 Article 5 of this Circular.

2. The clinical examination of the health conditions of the poultry must be conducted in a well lighted area and when carcasses have been on the slaughter chain (applicable to industrial and semi-industrial slaughterhouses) to weak and rickety or poultry denoting infectious diseases so that suitable handling measures are promptly taken.

3. After the clinical examination, the strong poultry must be slaughtered as soon as possible.

Article 8. Post-mortem inspection

1. Examination of carcass and its viscera: the examination procedures must comply with the guidelines in section 6 of Annex III enclosed with this Circular.

2. The post-mortem inspection shall be conformable to regulations in clause 2, clause 3 and clause 5 Article 6 of this Circular; the carcass and its viscera must be placed together to avoid being jumble.

Section 3. PROCEDURES FOR CONTROL OF SLAUGHTER OF TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS USED AS FOOD

Article 9. Procedures for control of slaughter of terrestrial animals used as food

1. Ante-mortem inspection: conformable to regulations in Article 5 of this Circular.

2. Post-mortem inspection:

a) Examination of carcass and its viscera: the examination procedures must comply with the guidelines in section 4.1, points a and c of section 4.2 and points a and b of section 4.3 of Annex III enclosed with this Circular.

b) The post-mortem examination shall be conformable to regulations in clause 2, clause 3 and clause 5 Article 6 of this Circular.

Section 4. HANDLING OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS UNCONFORMABLE TO VETERINARY HYGIENE REQUIREMENTS

Article 10. Principles of handling of animals and animal products unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements

1. The veterinary hygiene practices for animals and animal products must be conducted as soon as possible and under the guidance, supervision and inspection of veterinary technician.

2. Any person directly processes infected animals or animal products carrying hazardous diseases must be equipped with personal protective equipment.

3. Places where the veterinary hygiene practice is conducted must be licensed by a competent authority.

4. Any place, equipment and tools serving the hygiene practice for animals and animal products which are unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements must be cleansed and disinfected after each course of hygiene practice.

5. The owner of the animal must pay all the costs during the isolation and supervision; the owner of the batch of animal products must pay all the costs for preservation of animal products until there is the conclusion of the veterinary authority.

Article 11. Procedures for handling animals and animal products unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements

When an animal/animal product is found unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements, the competent veterinary authority/veterinary technician shall:

1. Isolate such animal from others;2. Formulate a report on the veterinary hygiene condition of the animal/animal product using the Form No. 04 of Annex II enclosed with this Circular; request of the owner of the establishment or the owner of the batch for the conduct of veterinary hygiene to ensure the epidemic safety and the food safety and minimize the environment pollution;

3. Collect and send specimens from the animal/animal product to the laboratory, as it is necessary, for examination of the microorganism and veterinart drug residue standards according to the Form No. 03 in the Annex II enclosed with this Circular;

4. Formulate a report on handling of veterinary hygiene for the animal/animal product unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements using the Form No. 05 of Annex II enclosed with this Circular;

5. Notify the owner of the establishment/owner of the batch and relevant agencies of the handling results and requirements for animals/animal products to be used after the handling;

6. Guide, supervise and inspect the conduct of veterinary hygiene.

Article 12. Regulations on on-site handling of animals unconformable to veterinary hygiene standards

1. Handling measures inlcude: termination of the slaughter; slaughter in separate areas; mandatory slaughter, mandatory destruction or conversion of use purposes.

2. Animals unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements shall be handled according to the guidelines in section 1 of Annex VI enclosed with this Circular.

3. The Department of Animal Health shall provide guidance on mandatory handling measures for animals carrying pathogens of new infectious diseases.

Article 13. Regulations on handling of animal products unconformable to veterinary hygiene standards

1. Handling measures comprise: destruction; heat treatment; mechanic treatment; conversion of use purposes.

2. Guidance on on-site handling of animal products unconformable to veterinary hygiene requirements:

a) Animal products which are found carrying pathogens of infectious diseases during the slaughter shall be handled according to the guidance in section 2 of Annex VI enclosed with this Circular;

b) Animal products unconformable to requirements for organoleptic conditions shall be handled according to the guidelines in section 3 of Annex VI enclosed with this Circular;

c) Animal products suffering microbiological contamination which is not allowed to contain or of an amount exceeding the allowable one shall be handled according to the guidance in section 4 of Annex VI enclosed with this Circular;

d) Animal products unconformable to the requirements for the standards of antibiotic residues or contains residues of banned or poisonous substances shall be handled according to the guidance in section 5 of Annex VI enclosed with this Circular;

dd) Animal products carrying parasites or larvae of parasite shall be handled according to the guidance in section 6 of Annex VI enclosed with this Circular.

Chapter III

REGULATIONS ON SLAUGHTER CONTROL STAMPS AND VETERINARY HYGIENE STAMPS

Section 1. SAMPLES OF SLAUGHTER CONTROL STAMPS USED AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES OF SERVING EXPORT

Article 14. Sample of slaughter control stamp to be affixed to livestock carcass for export

1. The stamp shall have a circular shape with the size as follows: the diameters of the outer circle and of the inner circle shall be equal to 40 mm and 25 mm respectively, there shall be a line going through the center of the two circles which divides the stamp into 2 equal parts. The widths of the outer circle, the inner circle and the horizontal line shall be equal to 1 mm.

2. The space between the outer circle and the inner circle:

a) The letters “K. S. G. M. X. K” (the abbreviated form of the phrase “kiểm soát giết mổ xuất khẩu” - control of slaughter serving export) shall be displayed at the top of the stamp, whose height and thickness shall be equal to 4 mm and 1 mm respectively;b) The phrase “CỤC THÚ Ý” (Department of Animal Health) shall be displayed at the bottom of the stamp, whose height and thickness shall be equal to 4 mm and 1 mm respectively;

3. The circle in the middle of the stamp shall display the code of the slaughterhouses as follows:

a) At the top of the circle: the code of the slaughterhouse management authority using the letter A, B, C, etc., whose height and thickness shall be equal to 10 mm and 2 mm respectively;

b) At the bottom of the circle: the number sign of the slaughterhouse using the number 1, 2, 3, etc., whose height and thickness shall be equal to 10 mm and 2 mm respectively.

4. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 1 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 15. Sample of slaughter control stamp to be affixed to poultry carcass for export

1. The stamp shall have a circular shape with the size as follows: the diameters of the outer circle and of the inner circle shall be equal to 30 mm and 20 mm respectively, there shall be a line going through the center of the two circles which divides the stamp into 2 equal parts; the widths of the outer circle, the inner circler and the horizontal line of the stamp shall be equal to 0.5 mm.

2. The outer circle of the stamp:

a) The letters “K. S. G. M. X. K” (the abbreviated form of the phrase “kiểm soát giết mổ xuất khẩu” - control of slaughter serving export) shall be displayed at the top of the stamp, whose height and thickness shall be equal to 3 mm and 1 mm respectively;

b) The phrase “CỤC THÚ Ý” (Department of Animal Health) shall be displayed at the bottom of the stamp, whose height and thickness shall be equal to 3 mm and 1 mm respectively.

3. The circle in the middle of the stamp:

a) At the top of the circle: the code of the slaughterhouse management authority using the letter A, B, C, etc., whose height and thickness shall be equal to 5 mm and 1.5 mm respectively;

b) At the bottom of the circle: the code of the slaughterhouse using the number 1, 2, 3, etc., whose height and thickness shall be equal to 5 mm and 1.5 mm respectively.

4. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 2 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 16. Sample of slaughter control stamp to be affixed to livestock’s carcass for domestic consumption

1. The stamp shall have a rectangular shape with the size as follows: the height and the width of the stamp shall be equal to 80 mm and 5 mm respectively, the widths of the lines shall be equal to 1 mm.

2. The stamp shall be divided vertically into 3 parts: the top and bottom parts shall be 13 mm in width, the midde one shall be 20 mm in width (excluding the horizontal line).

3. The phrase “CỤC THÚ Y” (Department of Animal Health), whose height and thickness are equal to 8 mm and 1.5 mm respectively, shall be displayed along the top part of the stamp.

4. The phrase “NỘI DỊA” (domestic), whose height and thickness are equal to 12 mm and 2 mm respectively, shall be displayed in the middle of the stamp.

5. The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed along the bottom part of the stamp with height and thickness equal to 8 mm and 1.5 mm respectively.

6. The sample of the stamp is specified in Picture No. 3 of Annex IV enclosed with this Circular; such Stamp shall be used for carcasses of livestock which are not for export but shall satisfy veterinary hygiene requirements for domestic consumption.

Article 17. Sample of slaughter control stamp to be affixed to poultry’s carcass for domestic consumption

1. The stamp shall have a rectangular shape with the size as follows: the height and the width of the stamp shall be equal to 40 mm and 27 mm respectively, the widths of the lines shall be equal to 0.5 mm.

2. The stamp shall be divided vertically into 3 parts: the top and bottom parts shall be 7.5 mm in width, the midde one shall be 10 mm in width (excluding the horizontal line).

3. The phrase “CỤC THÚ Y” (Department of Animal Health), whose height and thickness are equal to 3 mm and 0.5 mm respectively, shall be displayed along the top part of the stamp.

4. The phrase “NỘI DỊA” (domestic), whose height and thickness are equal to 6 mm and 1 mm respectively, shall be displayed in the middle of the stamp.

5. The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed along the bottom part of the stamp with height and thickness equal to 3 mm and 0.5 mm respectively.

6. The sample of the stamp is specified in Picture No. 4 of Annex IV enclosed with this Circular; such Stamp shall be used for carcasses of poultry which are not for export but shall satisfy veterinary hygiene requirements for domestic consumption.

Article 18. Sample of stamp to be affixed to livestock’s carcasses subject to veterinary hygiene treatment

1. The stamp shall have an oval shape with the size as follows:

a) The outer oval shall have the width of 80 mm and the height of 50 mm;

b) The inner oval shall have the width of 60 mm and the height of 30 mm;

c) The widths of the outer and inner oval lines shall be equal to 1 mm.

2. The space between the outer oval and the inner oval:

a) The phrase “CỤC THÚ Ý” (Department of Animal Health), whose height and thickness are equal to 4 mm and 1 mm respectively, shall be displayed at the top of the stamp.

b) The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed at the bottom part of the stamp with height and thickness equal to 4 mm and 1 mm respectively;

3. The letters “XỬ LÝ V.S.T.Y” (the abbreviated form of the phrase “xử lý vệ sinh thú y” - veterinary hygiene treatment), whose height and thickness are equal to 8 mm and 2 mm respectively, shall be displayed in the inner oval.

4. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 5 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 19. Sample of stamp to be affixed to poultry’s carcasses subject to veterinary hygiene treatment

1. The stamp shall have an oval shape with the size as follows: The outer oval shall have the width of 40 mm and the height of 30 mm; the inner oval shall have the width of 28 mm and the height of 18 mm; the widths of the outer and inner oval lines shall be equal to 0.5 mm.

2. The space between the outer oval and the inner oval:

a) The phrase “CỤC THÚ Ý” (Department of Animal Health), whose height and thickness are equal to 3.5 mm and 1 mm respectively, shall be displayed at the top of the stamp.

b) The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed at the bottom part of the stamp with height and thickness equal to 3.5 mm and 1 mm respectively.

3. The letters “XỬ LÝ V.S.T.Y” (the abbreviated form of the phrase “xử lý vệ sinh thú y” - veterinary hygiene treatment), whose height and thickness are equal to 5 mm and 1 mm respectively, shall be displayed in the inner oval.

4. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 6 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 20. Sample of stamp to be affixed to livestock’s carcasses subject to destruction

1. The stamp shall have an equilateral triangle shape which is divided into 3 parts, the length of each side of the triangle shall be 80 mm, the lines shall have the width of 1 mm.

2. The top part of the stamp, which has the height of 30 mm (excluding the horizontal line), shall display the code of the slaughterhouses, the height of each letter and number shall be 8 mm, its thickness shall be 1.5 mm.

3. The middle part of the stamp, which has the height of 22 mm (excluding the horizontal line), shall display the word “HỦY” (destruction), the height of each letter and number shall be 12 mm, its thickness shall be 2 mm.

4. The bottom part of the stamp, which has the height of 15 mm (excluding the horizontal line), shall display the word “CỤC THÚ Y” (Department of Animal Health), the height of each letter and number shall be 8 mm, its thickness shall be 1.5 mm.

5. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 7 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 21. Sample of stamp to be affixed to poultry’s carcasses subject to destruction

1. The stamp shall have an equilateral triangle shape which is divided into 3 parts, the length of each side of the triangle shall be 40 mm, the lines shall have the width of 1 mm.

2. The top part of the stamp, which has the height of 16 mm (excluding the horizontal line), shall display the code of the slaughterhouses, the height of each letter and number shall be 3 mm, its thickness shall be 0.5 mm.

3. The middle part of the stamp, which has the height of 10 mm (excluding the horizontal line), shall display the word “HỦY” (destruction), the height of each letter and number shall be 7 mm, its thickness shall be 1.5 mm.

4. The bottom part of the stamp, which has the height of 7.5 mm (excluding the horizontal line), shall display the word “CỤC THÚ Y” (Department of Animal Health), the height of each letter and number shall be 3 mm, its thickness shall be 0.5 mm.

5. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 8 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Section 2. SAMPLES OF SLAUGHTER CONTROL STAMPS USED AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES OF SERVING DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION

Article 22. Sample of slaughter control stamp to be affixed to livestock’s carcass for domestic consumption

1. Shape and size of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clauses 1 and 2 Article 16 of this Circular.

2. The name of the provincial veterinary authority shall be displayed along the top part of the stamp in the format “CHI CỤC ......” (Department of...), the height and the thickness of which shall be 5-8 mm and 1-1.5 mm respectively.

3. The letters “K.S.G.M” (the abbreviated form of the phrase “kiểm soát giết mổ” - control of slaughter) shall be displayed in the middle of the stamp with the height and thickness equal to 12 mm and 2 mm respectively.

4. The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed along the bottom part of the stamp, with the height and the thickness of the letters and the numbers prescribed in clause 2 of this Article.

5. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 9 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 23. Sample of slaughter control stamp to be affixed to poultry’s carcass for domestic consumption

1. Shape and size of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clauses 1 and 2 Article 17 of this Circular.

2. The name of the provincial veterinary authority shall be displayed along the top part of the stamp in the format “CHI CỤC ......” (Department of...), the height and the thickness of which shall be 1-3 mm and 0.3-0.5 mm respectively.

3. The letters “K.S.G.M” (the abbreviated form of the phrase “kiểm soát giết mổ” - control of slaughter) shall be displayed in the middle of the stamp with the height and thickness equal to 6 mm and 1 mm respectively.

4. The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed along the bottom part of the stamp, with the height and the thickness of the letters and the numbers prescribed in clause 2 of this Article.

5. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 10 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 24. Sample of stamp to be affixed to livestock’s carcasses subject to veterinary hygiene treatment

1. Shape and size of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clause 1 Article 18 of this Circular.

2. The space between the outer oval and the inner oval:

a) The name of the provincial veterinary authority shall be displayed in the top part of the stamp in the format “CHI CỤC ......” (Department of...), the height and the thickness of which shall be 2-4 mm and 0.5-1 mm respectively;

b) The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed in the bottom part of the stamp, with the height and the thickness of the letters and the numbers prescribed in point a of this clause.

3. The letters “XỬ LÝ V.S.T.Y” (the abbreviated form of the phrase “xử lý vệ sinh thú y” - veterinary hygiene treatment), whose height and thickness are equal to 8 mm and 2 mm respectively, shall be displayed in the inner oval.

4. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 11 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 25. Sample of stamp to be affixed to poultry’s carcasses subject to veterinary hygiene treatment

1. Shape, size and content of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clauses 1 and 3 Article 19 of this Circular.

2. The space between the outer oval and the inner oval:

a) The name of the provincial veterinary authority shall be displayed in the top part of the stamp in the format “CHI CỤC ......” (Department of...), the height and the thickness of which shall be 1.5-3.5 mm and 0.5-1 mm respectively;

b) The code of the slaughterhouse shall be displayed in the bottom part of the stamp, with the height and the thickness of the letters and the numbers prescribed in point a of this clause.

4. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 12 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 26. Sample of stamp to be affixed to livestock’s carcasses subject to destruction

1. Shape, size and content of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clauses 1, 2 and 3 Article 20 of this Circular.

2. The name of the provincial veterinary authority shall be displayed in the bottom part of the stamp in the format “CHI CỤC ......” (Department of...), the height and the thickness of which shall be 5-8 mm and 1-1.5 mm respectively.

3. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 13 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Article 27. Sample of stamp to be affixed to poultry’s carcasses subject to destruction

1. Shape and size of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clause 1 Article 21 of this Circular.

2. The top part of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clause 2 Article 21 of this Circular.

3. The middle part of the stamp shall comply with regulations in clause 3 Article 21 of this Circular.

4. The bottom part of the stamp shall have the height of 7.5 mm (excluding the horizontal line), displaying the name of the veterinary authority in the format “CHI CỤC.........” (Department of.....), the height and the thickness of which shall be 1-3 mm and 0.3-0.5 mm respectively.

5. The sample of the stamp is specified in the Picture No. 14 in Annex IV enclosed with this Circular.

Section 3. SAMPLE OF VETERINARY HYGIENE STAMP

Article 28. Sample of veterinary hygiene stamp for slaughterhouses serving export or slaughterhouses serving both export and domestic consumption

1. The sample of the veterinary hygiene stamp shall comply with the guidelines specified in the Picture No. 15 in Annex V enclosed with this Circular. To be specific:

a) The stamp shall have a rectangular shape with the size as follows: the height and the width of the stamp shall be equal to 60-70 mm and 35-40 mm respectively, the widths of the lines shall be red and equal to 1 mm. The stamp shall have white background and the red contents;

b) The stamp shall be divided vertically into 3 parts: the top and middle parts shall be 11-13.5 mm in width, the bottom one shall be 7-9 mm in width (excluding the horizontal line);

c) At the upper left corner of the stamp shall be the logo of animal quarantine whose diamteter is 14-15 mm. At the upper right corner of the stamp shall be the phrase “CỤC THÚ Y” (Department of Animal Health) and “MÃ SỐ.....” of the slaughterhouse (No. ........), which are bold-type, of Arial font and have a font size of 13-14;

d) At the middle part of the stamp shall be the phrase “KIỂM TRA VỆ SINH THÚ Y” (Veterinary hygiene inspection) which are bold-type, of Arial font and have a font size of 15-16;

dd) At the bottom part of the stamp shall be the phrase “Ngày .... tháng .... năm 20....” (date in format of dd-mm-yyyy) which are bold-type, of Arial font and have a font size of 11-12.

2. The sample of the veterinary hygiene stamp for animal products subject to veterinary hygiene treatment shall comply with the guidelines specified in the Picture No. 16 in Annex V enclosed with this Circular. To be specific:

a) The stamp shall have shape, size and contents of the top and bottom parts according to regulations in point a, b, c and dd clause 1 of this Article;

b) At the middle part of the stamp shall be the phrase “XỬ LÝ VỆ SINH THÚ Y” (Veterinary hygiene treatment) which are bold-type, of Arial font and have a font size of 14-16.

3. The sample of the veterinary hygiene stamp for animal products subject to destruction shall comply with the guidelines specified in the Picture No. 17 in Annex V enclosed with this Circular. To be specific:

a) The stamp shall have shape, size and contents of the top and bottom parts according to regulations in point a, b, c and dd clause 1 of this Article;

b) At the middle part of the stamp shall be the phrase “HỦY” (destruction) which are bold-type, of Arial font and have a font size of 18-20.

Article 29. Sample of veterinary hygiene stamp for animal products serving domestic consumption (including imported animal products)

1. The sample of the veterinary hygiene stamp shall comply with the guidelines specified in the Picture No. 18 in Annex V enclosed with this Circular. To be specific:

a) The stamp shall have shape and size in accordance with regulations in point a clause 1 Article 28 of this Circular, lines in the stamps shall be dark blue and have the width of 1 mm. The stamp shall have white background and the dark-blue contents;

b) The stamp shall be divided into 3 parts according to regulations in point b clause 1 Article 28 of this Circular;

c) At the upper left corner of the stamp shall be the logo of animal quarantine whose diamteter is 15 mm. The upper right of the stamp shall display the name of the provincial veterinary authority “DEPARTMENT OF ........” which are bold-type, of Arial font and have a font size of 10-14; if the name of the authority is too long to be fully displayed, the phrase “CHĂN NUÔI” and “THỦY SẢN” in the name of the veterinary authority shall be abbreviated to “CN” and “TS” respectively;

d) The contents of the middle part of the stamp shall comply with regulations in point d clause 1 Article 28 of this Circular;

dd) The contents of the bottom part of the stamp shall comply with regulations in point dd clause 1 Article 28 of this Circular;

2. The sample of the veterinary hygiene stamp for animal products subject to veterinary hygiene treatment shall comply with the guidelines specified in the Picture No. 19 in Annex V enclosed with this Circular. To be specific:

a) The stamp shall have shape, size and contents of the top and bottom parts according to regulations in point a, b, c and dd clause 1 of this Article;

b) The contents of the middle part of the stamp shall comply with regulations in point b clause 2 Article 28 of this Circular.

3. The sample of the veterinary hygiene stamp for animal products subject to destruction shall comply with the guidelines specified in the Picture No. 20 in Annex V enclosed with this Circular. To be specific:

a) The stamp shall have shape, size and contents of the top and bottom parts according to regulations in point a, b, c and dd clause 1 of this Article;

b) The contents of the middle part of the stamp shall comply with regulations in point b clause 3 Article 28 of this Circular.

Article 30. Use of veterinary hygiene stamps

1. Regarding tightly packaged carcasses or animal products:

a) At slaughterhouses: the veterinary hygiene stamps specified in section 3 of this Chapter shall be affixed on carcasses which do not bear the stamps of slaughter control specified in clause 1, point b clause 2 and clause 3 Article 32 of this Circular or red viscera like heart, liver, kidneys and by-products used as food;

b) At establishments preparing animal products from slaughterhouses: the veterinary hygiene stamps specified in section 3 of this Cicular shall be affixed on animal products processed from carcasses and meat cuts which have received slaughter control but did not bear the slaughter control stamps prescribed in point a clause 2 Article 32 of this Circular.

2. Veterinary hygiene stamps shall be stuck on the package or put into the space between the two packages of the product.

3. The seal of the veterinary authority conducting the slaughter control or veterinary hygiene inspection shall be affixed on the veterinary hygiene stamps specified in section 3 of this Chapter which are in use.

Section 4. SLAUGHTER CONTROL STAMPS AND PLACEMENT THEREOF

Article 31. Slaughter control stamps

1. Letters displayed on the stamp must be of Arial font; if the name of the authority is too long to be fully displayed, the phrase “CHĂN NUÔI” and “THỦY SẢN” in the name of the provincial veterinary authority shall be abbreviated to “CN” and “TS” respectively.

2. The color of ink must be clear; the ink must ensure keeping the quality of meat/animal products unchanged and not causing bad effect to consumers’ health; the Department of Animal Health shal provide detailed guidance on the compositions and method of production of the ink used for stamping.

3. Inks with red color shall be used for stamps specified in Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of this Circular.

4. Inks with red color shall be used for stamps specified in Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of this Circular.

5. If the animal’s skin is dark, heat stamps with shape, size and contents in accordance with those specified in this Circular may be used or the slaughter control/veterinary hygiene inspection marking specified in Article 33 of this Circular may be applied.

6. Stamps applicable to poultry shall be used as the stamp of slaughter control stamps for carcasses of suckling pigs or rabbits for domestic consumption.

Article 32. Placement of slaughter control stamps

1. For carcasses of teenage pigs, suckling pigs and rabbits: 01 stamp of slaughter control shall be affixed to the rump of the carcass.

2. Regarding carcasses of livestocks:

a) For carcasses and meat cuts sent from the slaughterhouse to the preparing establishment in a closed line: 01 stamp of slaughter control shall be affixed to the rump of the carcass;

b) For carcasses and meat cuts for sale: 01 stamp of slaughter control shall be affixed to the shoulder, the belly and the rump of the two side of the carcass; or at a position that ensures the verification of completion of veterinary hygiene inspection, applicable to meat cuts.

3. Regarding carcasses of poultry:

a) For carcasses of poultry serving export: 01 stamp of slaughter control shall be affixed to the breast of the carcass;

b) For poultry’s carcasses serving domestic consumption: 02 stamps of slaughter control shall be affixed to the 2 side of the breast of the carcass; for packaged whole chicken, 01 stamp shall be affixed to the breast of the carcass.

Article 33. Marks of animal slaughter control and veterinary hygiene inspection

The marking of animal slaughter control and veterinary hygiene inspection shall be carried out as follows:

1. The marking of slaugher control or veterinary hygiene inspection shall be applied to animal products in tight package which are not conformable to regulations in Article 30 or Article 32 of this Circular:

2. Animal products specified in clause 1 of this Article shall be put in tight package made of materials complying with food safety standards; the marks containing code numbers shall be directly affixed to the package to verify that the product has received slaughter control and/or veterinary hygiene inspection.

3. The management of the marking of animal slaughter control and veterinary hygiene inspection:

a) The quantity and the model of the package specified in clause 2 of this Article shall bear the inspection and supervision of competent veterinary authorities;

b) The mark of slaughter control/veterinary hygiene inspection shall be placed on the frontal side, to the upper right of the package;

c) Shape, size and content of the mark of slaughter control/veterinary hygiene inspection shall comply with regulations in Article 23 of this Circular;

d) The code number for marking of slaughter control/veterinary hygiene inspection shall be issued and managed by a competent veterinary authority according to regulations in Article 35 of this Circular in cooperation with relevant agencies.

Article 34. Regulations on slaughter control stampling for carcasses unconformable to veterinary hygiene standards

1. Carcasses unconformable to veterinary hygiene and subject to destruction must bear the stamps prescribed in Articles 18, 19, 20 and 21, applicable to slaughterhouses serving export, or Articles 24, 25, 26 and 27 of this Circular, applicable to slaughterhouses serving domestic consumption; the placement of the stamps must ensure the capability of certifying that the carcasses and animal products have gone through veterinary hygiene inspection.

2. Veterinary technicians carrying out on-site inspection at slaughterhouses must carefully supervise the veterinary hygiene treatment of carcasses unconformable to veterinary hygiene according to regulations.

Article 35. Codes of slaughterhouses

1. Regarding slaughterhouses serving export:

a) The code of veterinary authorities in charge of management of slaughterhouses shall comply with regulations on animal quarantine codes;

b) The code of a slaughterhouse must contain: a letter character in capitalized form (A, B, C, etc.)  which is the code of the veterinary authority in charge, and an ordinal number character (1, 2, 3, etc.); if the letter and the numeric characters are display together and on the same line, the letter character shall precede the number one;

E.g: No. A1 (A is the code of the veterinary authority of II area, 1 is the ordinal number of the slaughterhouse under the management of such authority)

c) The Department of Animal Health shall detail the code on the slaughter control and veterinary hygiene stamps for specific slaughterhouses serving livestock and poultry export.

2. Regarding slaughterhouses serving domestic consumption:

a) The code of provincial veterinary authorities in charge of management of slaughterhouses shall comply with regulations on animal quarantine codes;

b) The code of a slaughterhouse shall contain: 02 (two) first numeric characters shall be the code of the province/city; 02 (two) next numeric charactres shall be the code of the district; 02 (two) last numeric characters shall be an ordinal number;

E.g: No. 01.03.05 (01 is the code of Ha Noi City; 03 is the code of Gia Lam district; 05 is the ordinal number).

c) Provincial veterinary authorities shall detail the code on the slaughter control and veterinary hygiene stamps for specific district and specific slaughterhouses.

Chapter IV

VETERINARY HYGIENE INSPECTION

Article 36. Rules for veterinary hygiene inspection at establishments

1. Grounds for veterinary hygiene inspection

a) Corresponding technical regulations and standards;

b) Relevant legislative documents.

2. For concentrated animal-raising establishments; establishments preparing, processing and/or trading animals and animal products; cold storage of fresh, prepared and/or processed animals and animal products; concentrated animal slaughterhosues, small animal slaughterhouses: the veterinary hygiene inspection shall be conducted according to regulations in Circular No. 45/2014/TT-BNNPTNT dated 03/12/2014 providing for the inspection of agriculture production/trading establishment and the inspection of the certification of fulfillment of food safety conditions for agro-forestry-fishery products. The guidelines on assessment of small animal slaughterhouses are specified in Annex VII enclosed with this Circular.

3. Regarding establishments of hatching or producing and trading breeding animals; animals and animal products quarantine facilities; terminal animal markets, small animal markets, animal - collecting and purchasing establishments; animal-examinating and diagnosing facilities; animal surgery providers; establishments producing animal feed materials derivated from animals and other animal products which are not used as food: the veterinary hygiene inspection shall be conducted according to regulations in Article 37 and 38 of this Circular.

4. Any establishment obtaining a VietGAHP Certificate, VietGAP Certificate or the Certificate of epidemic safety shall be recognized conformity with veterinary hygiene conditions.

5. Regarding laboratories: the analysis of specimens collected from on-site inspections of veterinary hygiene conditions must be conducted by laboratories assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development.

Article 37. Procedures for issuance, reissuance and revocation of the Veterinary hygiene certificate

1. Agencies competent to issue the Veterinary hygiene certificate:

a) Department of Animal Health, applicable to establishments under the management of the Central authority; establishments serving the export/import and mixed establishments serving the export/import and domestic consumption;

b) Provincial veterinary authorities, applicable to establishments other than those specified in point a of this clause and serving domestic consumption.

2. A Veterinary hygiene certificate shall be effective for 03 (three) years. The sample of the Veterinary hygiene certificate is provided in the Form No. 06 in Annex II enclosed with this Circular.

3. An application for the Veterinary hygiene certificate shall comprise:

a) An application form for issuance/reissuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate using the Form No. 01 in Annex II enclosed with this Circular;

b) A brief description of the establishment using the Form No. 02 in Annex II enclosed with this Circular.

4. Procedures for issuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate:

a) The owner of the establishment shall submit 01 (one) set of application for the Veterinary hygiene certificate to the competent agency specified in clause 1 of this Article. The applicatio can be submitted directly, by fax, by mail, via the Internet (where the main application will be sent later) or by post;

b) Within 01 (one) working day from the day on which the application for the Veterinary hygiene certificate is received, the competent agency shall check the application and send a written notification to the establishment if the application is unsatisfactory; if the owner of the establishment submit the application directly, the receiving officer may check and respond immediately;

c) Within 15 (fifteen) working days from the day on which the satisfactory application is received, the competent agency shall check the application and conduct on-site inspection at the establishment then issue the Certificate for the conformable establishment. If the application is rejected, a written response containing the explanation and the appointment for re-inspection shall be sent to the establishment.

5. Procedures for reissuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate:

a) 01 (one) month prior to the expiry date of the Veterinary hygiene certificate, if the establishment plans to continue its business, it shall submit an application for reissuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate;

Agencies competent to reissue the Veterinary hygiene certificate, expiry of the Veterinary hygiene certificate, application and procedures for reissuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate in such case are similar to those provided for the issuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate specified in clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Article;

b) If an unexpired Veterinary hygiene certificate is lost or damaged or its content is modified, the establishment must submit an application for reissuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate using the Form No. 01 in Annex II enclosed with this Circular to the compentent agency;

Within 05 (five) working days from the day on which the application for reissuance of the Veterinary hygiene certificate is received, the competent agency shall conduct inspection of the application and consider reissuing the Veterinary hygiene certificate for the establishment. In such case, the expiry date of the Veterinary hygiene certificate which is reissued shall be the expiry date of the old certificate. If the application is rejected, the competent agency shall send a written notification containing explanation.

6. Revocation of the Veterinary hygiene certificate:

a) Regarding establishments of hatching or producing and trading breeding animals; animals and animal products quarantine facilities; terminal animal markets, small animal markets, animal - collecting and purchasing establishments; animal-examinating and diagnosing facilities; animal surgery providers; establishments producing animal feed materials derivated from animals and other animal products which are not used as food: the revocation of the Veterinary hygiene certificate shall be imposed if the results of the periodic inspection or surprise inspection show that such establishment does not fulfill veterinary hygiene requirements;

b) Competence in revocation of the Veterinary hygiene certificate:

Any competent agency shall have the power to revoke the Veterinary hygiene certificate it has issued.

Article 38. Contents, methods and frequency of veterinary hygiene inspection at establishments

1. Contents of inspection:

a) Requirements for location, facilities, workshops, equipment, tools;

b) Requirements for input materials and water used for manufacture;

c) Requirements for employees involving in the manufacture and business and quality control;

d) Currently applied veterinary hygiene management program;

dd) The management and treatment of solid waste, wastewater and other contents according ro regulations in corresponding technical regulations;

e) Specimens may be collected if necessary.

2. Methods of inspection:

Document check, interview; on-site inspection, specimen collection.

3. Frequency of inspection: once per year.

Article 39. Inspection of veterinary hygiene requirements for animals and animal products and animal feeds

1. Animals

a) Content: the fulfillment of requirements specified in Article 4 of this Circular for animals which have not been slaughtered.

Regarding animals at establishments subject to inspection to be issued with the Food safety certificate or the Veterinary hygiene certificate and ornamental animals, circus animals and animals in fairs, exhibitions and competitions: hygiene and health conditions of the animal shall be inspected.

b) Methods of inspection: inspection of documents, clinic inspection and specimen collection (if any).

2. Animal products, materials for production of animal feeds and animal feeds

a) Content of inspection: the fulfillment of requirements pertaining to microorganisms, chemistry and physics according to current Vietnamese laws (applicable to products for domestic consumption); laws of the importing country (applicable to products for export);

b) Methods of inspection: physical inspection, specimen collection (if any).

3. Vehicles for transporting animals and animal products; containers for animal products:

a) Content of inspection: the pasteurization, disinfection and the compliance with regulations in the Technical regulation No. QCVN 01-100:2012/BNNPTNT on General veterinary hygiene requirements for Equipment and vehicles using for transport of live animal, animal’s fresh and primary processing products;

b) Methods of inspection: physical inspection, specimen collection (if any).

4. Inspection procedures

The veterinary hygiene inspection for animals and animal products, animal feeds and materials for production of animal feeds and transport vehicles going together with the on-site inpsection of veterinary hygiene specified in point d section 2 of Annex I enclosed with this Circular.

5. Regarding laboratories: the analysis of specimens collected as prescribed in point b clause 1, point b clause 2 and point b clause 3 of this Article must be conducted by laboratories assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development.

Article 40. Veterinary hygiene and food safety inspection and supervision for animals and animal products used as food

1. Subjects of inspection/supervision:

a) To be-slaughtered animals;

b) Meat and meat products at slaughterhouses and trading establishments;

c) Bee’s honey at raising, collecting, preparing, processing, storing and trading establishments;

d) Other animal products, on request.

2. Formulation of inspection and supervisions plans and contents:

a) Plans and contents of inspection/supervision of animal products serving export: every year, the Department of Animal Health shall preside over the formulation of inspection and supervision plans and contents and request the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development to grant approval for such plans and contents and provide fundings for implementing the plans;

When the plans have been approved and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, the Department of Animal Health shall conduct and implement the plans on inspection, supervision and speciment analysis and report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development the results of the inspection, supervision and specimen analysis which have been conducted and the plans for the next year and notify competent agencies of the importing countries on their request;

b) Plans and contents of inspection/supervision of animal products serving domestic consumption: every year, provincial veterinary authorities shall preside over the formulation of inspection and supervision plans and contents and request provincial People’s Committees to grant approval for such plans and contents and provide fundings for the implementation thereof. Provincial veterinary authorities shall cooperate with divisions, departments and relevant agencies in local areas in implementing the approved plans;

c) Collection of specimens and fundings for the analysis of such specimens:

The Department of Animal Health shall conduct and implement the collection of specimens serving the examination pertaining to microbiological contamination and analysis of toxic residues in animal products according to the plans which have been approved and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development;

Provincial veterinary authorities shall conduct and implement the collection of specimens serving the examination pertaining to microbiological contamination and analysis of toxic residues in animal products according to the plans which have been approved and funded by provincial People’s Committees;

If the establishment voluntarily applies for supervision, the owner of the establishment shall pay the costs of analysis of the specimens.

3. The veterinary hygiene inspection and supervision for animal products which are imported, exported or transported out of provincial areas shall be conducted concurrently with animal quarantine activities.

Chapter V

ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 41. Responsibilities of veterinary authorities

1. Responsibilities of the Department of Animal Health:

a) Provide guidelines on the implementation of this Circular for entities specified in Article 2 of this Circular;

b) Formulate and submit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development the framework programs applicable to entities specified in clause 1 Article 40 of this Circular and modify such programs according to the management requirements;

c) Comply with regulations in clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 Article 75 of the Law on veterinary medicine;

d) Provide professional trainings for persons in charge of slaughter inspection working for provincial veterinary authorities.

2. Responsibilities of provincial veterinary authorities:

a) Formulate and implement annual supervision programs applicable to entities specified in points a, b and d clause 1 Article 40 of this Circular;

b) Analyze hazards of animals and animal products; trace the origine of animals and animal products unconformable to veterinary hygiene in local areas;

c) Comply with regulations in clauses 1, 2, 3 and 5 Article 75 of the Law on veterinary medicine;

d) Provide professional trainings for persons in charge of slaughter inspection under management.

Article 42. Responsbilities of People’s Committees at all levels

1. Responsibilities of People's Committees of provinces: Comply with regulations in clause 1 Article 76 of the Law on veterinary medicine.

2. Responsibilities of People's Committees of districts: Comply with regulations in clause 2 Article 76 of the Law on veterinary medicine.

3. Responsibilities of People's Committees of communes: Comply with regulations in clause 3 Article 76 of the Law on veterinary medicine.

Article 43. Responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals

1. Submit to the management and supervision of competent veterinary authorities.

2. Record and retain information serving the trace of origin of animals and animal products according to regulations in clause 2 Article 77 of the Law on veterinary medicine.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTARY CLAUSE

Article 44. Transitional clause

1. Veterinary hygiene certificate issued before 01/7/2016 which are unexpired shall be valid until the expiry date written on the certificate.

2. Regarding slaughter control stamps and veterinary hygiene stamps made before the effective date of this Circular and unconformable to regulations in this Circular, veterinay authorities must modify them not later than 30/6/2017.

Article 45. Effect

1. This Circular comes into effect from July 16, 2016.

2. This Circular replaces these following documents:

a) Decision No. 87/2005/QD-BNN dated 26/12/2005 by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural development promulgating procedures for animal slaughter control;

b) Decision No. 46/2005/QD-BNN dated 25/7/2005 by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural development promulgating the List of subjects of veterinary hygiene inspection; List of entities subject to veterinary hygiene inspection; List of entities subject to veterinary hygiene inspection which must apply veterinary hygiene standardsd;

c) Decision No. 48/2005/QD-BNN dated 25/7/2005 by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural development providing for Samples of slaughter control and veterinary hygiene stamps;

d) Chapter 3 of Decision No. 15/2006/QD-BNN dated 08/3/2006 by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural development promulgating regulations on procedures for inspection of animals and animal products, veterinary hygiene inspection;

dd) Circular No. 30/2009/TT-BNN dated 04/6/2009 promulgating regulations on veterinary hygiene inspection and supervision serving the production and trade of animal products and slaughter of animals used as food.

3. Heads of units affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, heads of relevant agencies, organizations and individuals, within their tasks and powers, shall be responsible for implementing regulations in this Circular.

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

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