Veterinary legislation -Public sector perspectives and

experiences1st OIE Global Conference on Veterinary Legislation

Djerba, Tunisia from 7-9 December 2010

Dr Hoang Van NamDirector General, CVO, OIE Delegate

Department of Animal Health, MARD, Viet Nam

Presentation Outline

1. Introduction2. Methodology and approaches3. Progress4. New introductions into the draft5. Some key issues6. Next steps

1. Introduction• Viet Nam is a country that has heavily experienced during the

avian influenza crisis, threats towards animal health and are increasing with potentially high impacts on public health, food safety and international trade

• Recent accession to WTO• Viet Nam is strongly committed to perform a proactive policy

in which the development of livestock production to meet the country’s food demand and export is carried out on parallel with the strategy to strengthen national Veterinary Services

Strong and urgent needs to modernise its veterinary legislation.

2. Methodology and approaches• Horizontal approach to control the existing threats and

facilitate the prevention of upcoming ones• Utilised the tools that OIE provides for its Members. The tool

notably enable the evaluation of the compliance of countries’ Veterinary Services with the international quality standards adopted by the Members and recognized by the WTO – OIE PVS Evaluation in Viet Nam (OIE Program to strengthen

Veterinary Services)

• Open, wide consultation with local and other international bodies

• Taking into account the recent Laws on drafting of legislative documents.

3. Progress

• OIE PVS Evaluation: initial PVS Evaluation conducted in 2006, covering only the part on health of terrestrial animals

• MoU on Legislation signed between OIE HQ and Vietnam DAH; 1st OIE Legislation Mission dispatched in 2009

• OIE PVS Follow-up: 2009• Volunteered to participate, on a pilot basis, in the PVS

Assessment of Aquatic Animal Health Services: To support the OIE’s efforts to refine the PVS Tool for use in strengthening governance in the important aquaculture sector

• OIE Gap Analysis in June 2010, identified its priorities, quantified its needs and presented justification on financial needs

3. Progress (Cont’d)

Supports from other relevant organisations/bodies:• 02 legislation missions by FAO experts undertaken in 2009• 02 missions by USDA experts implemented in 2009, in

particular in producing the 4th Draft of the Laws• Study tours to Malaysia, Singapore in 2009 and the US in 2010

3. Progress (Cont’d)

Works in parallel include:• Viet Nam’s Veterinary Services Strategic plan: “Roadmap for

the Development of the Official Veterinary Services, 2011-2015 and vision for 2020”, with particular projects on:– Controlling of some diseases of national importance– Laboratory systems– Veterinary public health

4. New introductions into the draft

• Issues related to national and international trade of animals and animal origin products

• Veterinary Status Body• Food security and safety• Field veterinary systems• Animal Welfare aspects• Management of diseases in wildlife• Etc.

5. Some key issues

• The new Laws needs to be inconsistent with many other laws• Involving many stakeholders difficult to coordinate cross

multi sectors, e.g. food safety, wildlife.• Approach: Broad vs. detailed laws?

6. Next steps

• 7th Draft of the Veterinary Laws shall be shared with key stakeholders and international organisations notably OIE and FAO for further comments

• Conducting various national consultation workshops• Reports on Impact Assessment (RIA) of some of key articles

within the new draft Laws • National Strategic Plan be submitted to Prime Minister for

approval; funds shall be sourced out from both national budget and donors

Thank you for your attention!