100,000 livestock farming households say no to banned substances

That is the goal of the campaign that the Department of Animal Husbandry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) together with the Vietnam Animal Husbandry Association, the International Agricultural Nutrition Joint Stock Company (ANCO) and the French-Vietnamese Animal Feed Production Joint Stock Company (PROCONCO) signed on the morning of April 20 in Hanoi.

Prohibited substances are rampant.

The widespread use of banned beta-agonist lean meat-producing substances (clenbuterol, salbutamol, ractopamine) in pig farming in recent times has caused confusion in public opinion, greatly affecting public health and negatively impacting the development of the domestic livestock industry. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has coordinated with ministries, branches and localities to resolutely and synchronously implement many solutions to gradually prevent and completely resolve the problem of using banned substances in livestock farming.

Livestock farming households will be encouraged not to use banned substances, aiming to build a clean livestock farming industry...

The representative of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that since November 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has coordinated with the Environmental Crime Prevention Police (C49, Ministry of Public Security) to establish many special projects to inspect pig farms and facilities nationwide, investigate and destroy a series of trafficking and use of banned substances in livestock farming. At the same time, the Ministry of Health has also directed the temporary suspension of the import of salbutamol raw materials, and proposed to add raw materials and drugs banned from use in other fields to the list of "drugs subject to special control" of the Law on Pharmacy (amended).

Along with drastic measures to prevent banned substances from the import, production, distribution and consumption stages, sanctions for violations of the use of banned substances have also been increased. Dr. Hoang Thanh Van - Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry said: "From July 1, 2016, criminal sanctions will be applied to violations, accordingly, individuals and organizations using banned chemicals and additives in food and animal feed will be fined from 50 to 200 million, imprisoned from 1 to 5 years, in serious cases they can be fined 1 billion VND, imprisoned for 20 years".

Using banned substances in livestock farming: Can result in life imprisonment From July 1, cases of using and producing banned substances in animal husbandry will be sentenced to life imprisonment, opening up hope of reducing the use of banned substances.

Breeders say no to banned substances

The campaign "100,000 livestock farming households commit to not using banned substances" will last from April 20, 2016 to December 31, 2016 nationwide with main activities including mobilizing 100,000 livestock farming households to sign a commitment not to use banned substances; organizing a series of training courses to disseminate safe and effective pig farming techniques and raising awareness through mass media.

Continuing the series of drastic actions of the past year, in 2016, the Department of Animal Husbandry will promote the signing of commitments not to use banned substances in animal husbandry for households across the country. The Department of Animal Husbandry officially cooperates with the Vietnam Animal Husbandry Association, ANCO Company and PROCONCO Company in the campaign program "100,000 animal husbandry households commit not to use banned substances". Dr. Doan Xuan Truc - Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Animal Husbandry Association said: "This program not only demonstrates the determination of departments from central to local levels and social organizations but also demonstrates the responsibility to the community and the commendable efforts of livestock enterprises in accompanying livestock farmers to create quality, safe products, ensuring the interests of livestock farmers and protecting the health of consumers".

According to the assessment of Mr. Pham Trung Lam - General Director of ANCO Company and PROCONCO Company: "The program aims to raise awareness of livestock households about absolutely not using banned substances in livestock farming and popularizing safe and effective livestock farming solutions... Thereby helping livestock farmers feel secure in getting rich honestly, aiming to build a clean and sustainable livestock farming to protect the health of consumers, while creating competitiveness in quality and price with imported meat products when the livestock industry is in the process of integration".

According to danviet.vn