Strict quarantine regulations affect import and export activities

On the morning of October 29, the National Assembly discussed the Draft Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine in the hall. A number of National Assembly deputies expressed their opinions regarding the issue of quarantine procedures for exported and imported plants.

Article 28 of the draft Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine on the procedures for granting import plant quarantine licenses stipulates: “b) Within 15 (fifteen) working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the central plant protection and quarantine agency shall consider and grant an import plant quarantine license. In case of refusal, a written response must be given stating the reasons.”

Deputies expressed their opinions on the draft Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine at the Hall on the morning of October 29.

According to a report summarizing opinions from delegations of National Assembly deputies, some opinions suggest that, to ensure transparency in import procedures, the draft Law should stipulate a time limit for granting quarantine permits for different types of imported plants, from 7 to 15 days.

Regarding the issue of quarantine of exported plants (Article 31), there are opinions that the regulation of quarantine of all exported plants as in the draft Law is unnecessary because in reality, in many cases, the foreign partner does not require quarantine in the sales contract, so the regulation of quarantine of all exported plant products will be a formality, causing additional costs for businesses.

Delegate Nguyen Huu Duc (Dong Thap) said that overly strict but unnecessary regulations will affect the exchange and sale of goods.

Regarding the procedures for quarantine of imported, exported, transit plants and issuance of plant quarantine certificates (Article 33), the Delegate's opinion suggests that the authority should be delegated to local competent authorities to carry out quarantine procedures for imported, exported, transit plants and issue quarantine certificates.

Deputies Nguyen Huu Duc and Bui Thi An (Hanoi) also proposed that the draft Law should stipulate more clearly and specifically the responsibilities for coordination between inter-sectoral agencies in plant quarantine at border gates, including Border Guard, Veterinary, Customs forces, etc.

According to HQ Online