MAE to launch comprehensive review of growing area code issuance procedures

On July 8, at the Government Office, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung chaired a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies to discuss solutions to remove obstacles facing agricultural exports.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep reported to the Deputy Prime Minister on the necessity of amending the Government’s Decree No. 38/2026/NĐ-CP dated January 24, 2026, which regulates the import of plants with soil attached to their roots, as well as the management of growing area codes and packing facility codes.

One of the key focuses of the draft amendments is to review and simplify the entire procedures for the issuance and reissuance of growing area codes and packing facility codes. The objective is to shorten administrative processing times, reduce compliance costs, and create the most favorable conditions for farmers, cooperatives, and businesses, while improving management efficiency through digital data systems.

The Ministry has also proposed a comprehensive reform of the process for granting growing area and packing facility codes by fully transitioning to an electronic platform. Under the proposed system, farmers and businesses would only need to submit declarations and applications online, eliminating the need for paper-based dossiers.

The solutions reported by the MAE aim to significantly shorten administrative processing times while clarifying the responsibilities of local authorities in management and oversight. More importantly, the new approach would shift from a pre-inspection to a post-inspection mechanism, ensuring regulatory compliance while providing greater convenience for farmers and businesses.

At the same time, the MAE proposed that the Government issue a Resolution to simplify administrative procedures for growing area codes and packing facility codes. This would provide an immediate legal foundation for implementing urgent solutions while the amended decree is being finalized.

The Resolution would focus on fundamentally revising the method of code issuance, simplifying application forms, and minimizing documentation and procedures while still ensuring sufficient information for management, monitoring, and traceability purposes.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, once issued, the Resolution would serve as a legal foundation for the synchronized implementation of the new procedures, creating significant improvements in the management and issuance of growing area and packing facility codes. It would also help promptly address difficulties and obstacles facing agricultural exports during the current peak period.

Government resolution on removing bottlenecks for exports before July 15

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung emphasized that the Government’s direction is to urgently remove bottlenecks and facilitate agricultural exports, with an immediate focus on durian exports from the Central Highlands region.

The Deputy Prime Minister agreed to apply a simplified procedure for amending Decree No. 38/2026/NĐ-CP, with the goal of completing comprehensive amendments by September 2026.

However, to promptly address the immediate challenges facing agricultural exports, particularly as the durian harvest season enters its peak period, the Deputy Prime Minister agreed to develop a Government Resolution to simplify administrative procedures for growing area codes and packing facility codes.

The MAE was requested to urgently incorporate the comments and recommendations from ministries and sectors at the meeting, finalize the draft Resolution, and submit it to the Government for consideration and issuance no later than July 15.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung requested the MAE to review all procedures and regulations related to the issuance of growing area codes, packing facility codes, testing facilities, quarantine, and agricultural product traceability, and promptly amend provisions that remain overlapping, inadequate, or no longer suitable for current practices.

The amendments must uphold the principle of creating favorable conditions without weakening management; simplifying administrative procedures while maintaining strict quality control; and facilitating agricultural exports without compromising safety, reputation, product quality, or the market position of Vietnamese agricultural products.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that administrative simplification must go hand in hand with improving the effectiveness of state management, ensuring effective control over product quality, and maintaining the confidence of importing markets.

Task forces to support localities within 30 days

After the Resolution is issued, Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with provincial and municipal People’s Committees, to launch a 30-day campaign to support the issuance of growing area codes and packing facility codes, while addressing difficulties and obstacles arising during implementation.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was assigned to establish task forces to work directly with localities during the 30-day period. These teams will coordinate reviews, provide guidance on procedures for issuing growing area codes, packing facility codes, and laboratory accreditation-related matters, while assessing human resource needs and proposing solutions to handle emerging issues.

The implementation plan must be developed in detail for each locality and responsible agency, ensuring clear assignments, clear responsibilities, and strong determination to complete the tasks during the peak implementation period.