MARD proposed Quang Ninh to strictly punish illegal poultry imports

On August 17th, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sent a document to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province to focus on strictly preventing, detecting and handling cases of illegal transportation of poultry and poultry products into Vietnam.

According to local newspapers, people's opnions and media agencies, since the beginning of 2021, illegal trading and transportation of poultry and poultry products across the border into Vietnam is on an increasing trend with complicated developments.

Specifically, for nearly 8 months, relevant local agencies have detected, handled and disposed of over 120,000 poultry and tons of smuggled poultry products. In the first half of August 2021, more than 50,000 poultry and hundreds of kilograms of smuggled poultry products were detected, handled and disposed.

In the first 7 months of 2021, avian influenza epidemics occurred across 90 communes in 62 districts of 28 provinces and cities, forcing the disposal of over 350,000 poultry (an increase of 1.7 times compared to the same period of 2020). Avian influenza has occurred in most of the provinces bordering the North such as Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen...

From June 2021, avian influenza virus A/H5N8 was identified for the first time, originated from abroad and caused disease in poultry in border provinces such as Cao Bang, Quang Ninh, and then spread to 9 other provinces and cities, resulting in the disposal of over 22,000 poultry.

Veterinary agencies have actively organized avian influenza surveillance sampling at poultry markets and trading points at border provinces such as Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Lang Son, Quang Ninh and detected positive rate for avian influenza virus A/H5 (transmissible to humans) is 4%, of which influenza virus strain A/H5N6 accounts for 77%.

The risk of avian influenza and other dangerous diseases continuing to infect Vietnam is high, seriously affecting the development of poultry production, with a total herd of more than 500 million breeds.

In face of the situation, the official dispatch by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed that the Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee pay special attention and direct relevant agencies and authorities at all levels to concentrate resources and urgently strengthen inspection, supervision and control, especially at border gates, trails, openings in border areas, seaports, riverways... to promptly detect and strictly handle cases of illegal trading, slaughter and smuggling of poultry and poultry products into Vietnam.

Along with that, directing police forces and border guards to specialize in dealing with subjects transporting and trading in smuggled poultry and poultry products across the border.

Coordinate with local authorities to arrest and handle cases of illegal import of poultry and poultry products; organize propaganda for people in border areas about the dangers of avian influenza and the risks of illegal trading and transporting poultry and poultry products.

In addition, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province must direct the local Steering Committee 389 to proactively deploy activities and solutions to prevent, promptly detect and strictly handle cases of smuggling, transportation and illegal trading of poultry and poultry products to and from Vietnam.

Closely coordinate and actively share information, data with veterinary agencies at all levels and organize the implementation of measures to prevent and control animal diseases in accordance with current laws.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also requested that the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province direct the local market management force to strengthen circulation control measures, promptly detect and strictly handle cases of illegal transportation and trading of animals and animal products entering Vietnam, poultry and poultry products of unknown origin on the market.

Additionally, direct local press agencies to strengthen risk communication about dangerous diseases imported through illegal transporting, trading and consuming of animals and animal products.

Mobilize people in border areas not to participate in or aid the illegal transportation and trading of animals and animal products, especially poultry and poultry products into Vietnam.