Implement urgent measures to prevent hunger and cold for livestock

(Telegram No. 01/CD-UBND, dated January 8, 2013 of the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee)

According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in the coming days, there will be prolonged cold spells. This cold spell coincides with the long Tet holiday. Meanwhile, livestock, especially old buffaloes, cows and calves, have suffered from declining health due to the effects of severe cold spells from December 2012 to present.

To prevent and minimize damage to livestock in the winter-spring crop of 2012-2013, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; directors of departments, heads of relevant provincial-level departments and branches to urgently deploy and direct the implementation of the following contents:

1. People's Committees of districts, towns and cities:

Direct specialized departments, organizations and authorities of communes, wards and towns to focus on propaganda and mobilization for each livestock raising household to have one straw, stubble or dry grass as feed for livestock. Guide people to take advantage of the land around the house and unused land for winter crops, wasteland to grow grass and thick corn; at the same time, take advantage of agricultural and industrial by-products in many forms to reserve as feed for buffaloes and cows in winter.

Regularly inform farmers about weather developments; disseminate experiences in preventing hunger and cold for cattle and buffaloes drawn from previous winters; on cold days, it is necessary to regularly monitor weather developments to proactively direct timely prevention of hunger and cold. When the outdoor temperature drops below 150C, it is necessary to instruct farmers not to use livestock for plowing or pulling; not to graze cattle, goats, and horses in the fields and yards; supplement cattle with concentrated feed and give them warm water; move the cattle and buffaloes out of the highlands; bring the free-range cattle and buffaloes to a place where they can be kept and controlled.

Localities regularly inspect, remind, and mobilize livestock farmers to effectively implement measures to prevent hunger and cold for buffaloes and cows in each village and have timely support plans for farmers, especially poor households and policy households, in protecting livestock during the winter.
Strengthen the direction of specialized departments, offices and local authorities to coordinate with the Veterinary sector in implementing regular vaccination for livestock in the 2012-2013 winter-spring crop; assign the responsibility of disease surveillance in livestock and poultry at the grassroots level to commune, ward, village and hamlet authorities and local veterinary officers.

No support for livestock that die due to hunger, cold, or disease for livestock households that do not strictly implement the above prevention and control measures; at the same time, the Chairman of the District People's Committee must be responsible to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee if livestock and poultry die due to hunger, cold, or disease in the area due to subjective reasons and lack of drastic direction in implementing the above measures.

2. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

Direct specialized units and veterinary stations located in districts, towns and cities to coordinate with local authorities to strengthen propaganda, mobilization and guidance for people on measures to prevent and combat hunger and cold for livestock.

Strengthen inspection and supervision of the implementation of measures to prevent hunger and cold for livestock and poultry from the district to the grassroots level. Coordinate with the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities to continue to effectively vaccinate against foot and mouth disease in buffalo and cow herds and urge disinfection and sterilization to prevent avian influenza and blue ear disease in the whole province according to regulations.

Direct, inspect and urge competent authorities and localities to do a good job of disease prevention and control in the locality; quarantine work, control of transportation, control of slaughter of livestock and poultry, veterinary hygiene inspection and disease surveillance at the facility. Regularly monitor weather developments, promptly propose and advise the Provincial People's Committee on handling measures when unusual weather changes occur; at the same time inspect, urge, synthesize and report to the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation of this Directive.

3. Provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper:

Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to promote propaganda, dissemination, and guidance on measures to prevent hunger and cold; and disease prevention for livestock and poultry in the 2012-2013 winter-spring crop through various forms such as through specific columns, models, and examples on mass media.

Upon receiving this telegram, the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; Directors of departments, heads of relevant provincial-level departments and branches are requested to seriously organize and implement it.

KT. Chairman
Vice president

Dinh Viet Hong