Tighten control of smuggled livestock and poultry

Lao Cai People's Committee has recently sent a document to the People's Committees of districts, towns, cities, relevant departments and agencies on strengthening measures to prevent smuggling and illegal transportation of livestock, poultry, livestock and poultry products smuggled from foreign sources into the province.

Accordingly, the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities base on established interdisciplinary working groups to conduct close supervision in gathering and trading sites of livestock and poultry, livestock and poultry products; thoroughly inspect, control and prevent the transportation of livestock and poultry (especially pigs) and their products illegally imported at border gates, trails and openings, including the form of giving or donating livestock and poultry by organizations, individuals and border residents. The ultimate goal is to prevent pathogens from entering the province, causing disease outbreaks in livestock.

Cases of live cattle and poultry suspected of being smuggled must be notified to the Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health for sampling and monitoring before destroying and handling violations. Management agencies need to strengthen the directing of prevention measures, inspection and control of the circulation of livestock, poultry and their products in the area.

The provincial People's Committee also directs People's Committees of communes, wards and townships as well as the management board of markets with live livestock and poultry (especially markets in districts and cities bordering China) to arrange specific locations for purchasing, selling and slaughtering at the market; strengthen inspection and supervision; cleaning, disinfecting after each market session; develop a treatment plan for each level and each type of epidemic in accordance with the actual situation.

Lao Cai People's Committee also directs the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct the Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health to continue taking samples, monitor traces of pathogens according to the approved plan, and give out warnings as a basis for directing the prevention and control of epidemic; strengthen inspection, supervision and guidance on disease prevention and quarantine in the province; prepare contingency plans for emergency situations.

The provincial Border Guard Command shall coordinate with specialized agencies and local authorities, assume the prime responsibility for preventing and thoroughly handling cases of illegal transportation of livestock, poultry, livestock and poultry products from China to Lao Cai area through trails and openings.

The provincial Police, Department of Industry and Trade, and Department of Market Management relay directives to the traffic police, environmental police, and market managers to strengthen inspection and control over the transportation of livestock, poultry, livestock and poultry products; coordinate with veterinary forces and local authorities to seize and handle cases of trading and transporting sick cattle and poultry and products of unknown origin into the province as per regulations.