Circulatory livestock farming: Enhancing animal welfare, toward sustainable export

Within the framework of Vietstock 2025, the workshop "Circulatory and Disease-Safe Livestock Farming Enhances Product Value" attracted considerable attention from experts, enterprises, and farmers. New models, from multi-story pig farming and animal welfare practices to the use of herbal alternatives replacing antibiotics, are expected to open up a sustainable direction aligned with global trends.

Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Farms and Agricultural Enterprises Association, stated that the Association has been promoting the adoption of new technical standards in livestock farming. In addition to biosecure livestock farming, Vietnam has issued a national standard for multi-story pig farming, which is a model recognized for its efficient land use, effective disease control, and environmental friendliness.

"We are finalizing detailed guidelines so that farms can apply this model effectively. At the same time, the development of multi-story chicken farming is also an inevitable trend in the context of rising demand and limited land fund," Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh emphasized.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the launch of the Minimum Animal Welfare Certification project by the Vietnam Farms and Agricultural Enterprises Association. On this occasion, the Association awarded the "Minimum Animal Welfare Standard" Certificate to Thu Thoan Cooperative (Lam Truong hamlet, Kim Anh commune, Hanoi).

This is the first unit in Vietnam to receive the certification for its egg-laying chicken flock. The standard includes requirements on barn density, feed quality, number of laying nests, and perch length, ensuring that animals live in more natural conditions, experience less stress, and produce higher-quality products.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thoan, Director of Thu Thoan Cooperative, stated that since its establishment, the cooperative has been committed to ensuring that its chicken flock "lives comfortably and happily."

"When animals are healthy, the products we deliver are truly good for consumers. The animal welfare certification is proof that consumers can trust our production practices," Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thoan said. She added that the cooperative's eggs are now present at many clean food systems across Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Lat, and Ho Chi Minh City and have been well received by consumers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Loan's story also reflects a shift in production mindset. "We want our animals to live according to their natural instincts, without coercion. When animals are healthy, the products we deliver to consumers are of better quality. This progress is also our way of respecting both animal life and human health," Ms. Thoan emphasized. Although still small in scale, with around 5,000-6,000 egg-laying chickens, Thu Thoan Cooperative has established its own path, building its market approach on a foundation of product quality.

Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh also highlighted a key trend: replacing antibiotics with herbal preparations in livestock farming. Many domestically produced herbal products have already been piloted and shown positive results in disease prevention and reducing antibiotic residues in animal products.

"The use of herbal alternatives ensures food safety, protects consumer health, and helps export Vietnamese livestock products to international markets," Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh said, noting that management factors also receive attention alongside technological solutions.

Livestock households are currently encouraged to keep detailed records of their production processes, from breed sources and feed to vaccination. These records serve as an important basis for traceability, disease control, and building market confidence. In particular, compulsory requirements on vaccination and biosecurity in repopulation, especially as African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza still pose outbreak risks.

Beyond food safety, new livestock models also aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the green agriculture strategy. Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh emphasized that linking farmer households and cooperatives with major enterprises will enhance production scale, improve quality, and increase the ability to obtain international certifications, which are considered the key to expanding exports.

"Livestock farmers should collaborate to meet international standards, thereby bringing their products to demanding markets. This is the direction currently prioritized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment," stated Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh.