Decree on Strengthening Responsibility for Import, Export, and Transit of Animals and Animal Products at International, Local, and Traditional Ports

Article

Lao People's Democratic Republic
Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity, Prosperity
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry No. 5../ .[. [, .7ກປ໊

2 ! 110] 2023

Vientiane Capital, Date. <....... ດ...

- -

Order
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On Strengthening Responsibility in the Management of Import, Export, and Transit of Animals and Animal Products at International, Local, and Traditional Border Checkpoints

To: - Office, various departments and institutes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry;
- Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices, Vientiane Capital nationwide.

- Pursuant to the Law on Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (Amended), No. 08/ສພຊ, dated 11 November 2016;
- Pursuant to the Decree of the Prime Minister on the Organization and Operation of the Ministry
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry No. 603/NA, dated 15 October 2021;

- Pursuant to the letter of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries No. 4382/DLF, dated 1 November 2023;

- Pursuant to the research and submission of the Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, dated 6 November 2025.

In the past period, the agricultural and forestry sectors at all levels have paid attention to managing the import, export, and transit of animals and animal products through international, local, and traditional border checkpoints in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, achieving considerable success, which has significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of the nation, in general, and to the economic development of localities, in particular, enabling gradual growth. Specifically, in the first 9 months of 2023, the export of cattle, buffalo, pigs, and goats was approved in the amount of
151,790 heads, poultry over 2,590,000 heads; approved export of large animals over 44,700 heads, poultry 861,000 heads, generating revenue over 61 million US dollars. However, alongside this, there are still occurrences of illegal importation of animals and animal products, and some localities allow the importation of animals and animal products without proper authorization and in violation of established regulations, leading to high risks of animal disease outbreaks such as avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease in cattle and buffalo, etc. Additionally, animal products sold in markets are still found to contain various residues exceeding the set standards, posing health risks to consumers.
In order to make the management of import, export, and transit of animals and animal products accurate and in accordance with relevant laws and subordinate legislation, aiming to reduce the risk of animal disease outbreaks entering the country, ensure food quality and safety for consumers, as well as protect and promote domestic livestock farming to grow and be able to replace imports from abroad,

The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry issues an order:

1. Assign the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to take initiative in coordinating with the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices, Vientiane Capital, and relevant sectors to continue publicizing and disseminating the Law on Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (Amended) No. 08/SPC, dated November 11, 2016, the Decree on...
Management of movement of animals and animal products, No. 230/LB, dated March 4, 2012, and the decision on import, export, and transit of animals and animal products, No. 0795/KP, dated April 18, 2019, including relevant regulations and other guidelines, to inform public and private sectors operating animal-related businesses nationwide, in connection with strict management of import, export, and transit of animals and animal products;

2. Assign the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to coordinate with provincial agriculture and forestry offices, Vientiane capital, veterinary inspection stations, and relevant sectors to focus on data collection, monitoring, inspection, and
Prevent smuggling of animals and animal products. If smuggling of animals and related animal products is detected, take measures against violators as strictly stipulated in the laws and regulations;

3. The Department of Livestock and Fisheries and the provincial and Vientiane capital Agriculture and Forestry Departments shall strictly implement Articles 23 and 24 of the Agreement on Import, Export and Transit of Animals and Animal Products No. 0795/ກປ, dated 18 April 2019, especially the issuance, suspension or revocation of import, export and transit permits for animals and animal products, which is the sole right of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries; the provincial and Vientiane capital Agriculture and Forestry Departments
As a researcher and proposer to the Department of Livestock and Fisheries for consideration of issuing, suspending or revoking licenses for import, export and transit of animals and animal products;

4. Assign the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, in coordination with the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices and Vientiane Capital, to guide and encourage official veterinarians at international, local and traditional checkpoints within their areas of responsibility to enhance their responsibility in inspecting the import, export and transit of animals and animal products strictly, in conjunction with improving the control system, monitoring and re-inspecting the import, export and transit of animals and animal products to be rigorous and regularly report to their superiors;
5. Assign the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to research and issue a notification to the provincial and Vientiane capital agriculture and forestry offices, veterinary checkpoints, and operators nationwide to inform them of the information regarding animals and animal products that the authorities can permit for import, export, and transit in each period, to ensure accuracy, speed, and timeliness;

Assign the provincial and Vientiane capital agriculture and forestry offices to guide operators or legal entities intending to import, export, and transit animals and animal products that are on the list permitted by the authorities to properly prepare application documents and then submit them to the provincial and Vientiane capital agriculture and forestry offices for review and comments before submitting to the Department of Livestock and Fisheries;
The fisheries sector shall consider and approve according to procedures;

Assign the Provincial and Vientiane Capital Agriculture and Forestry Departments to continue to pay attention, promote, and encourage livestock farming among the people within their respective provinces, focusing on types of livestock with potential and promoting farm-based rearing using technical techniques, aiming to improve production quality to adequately supply domestic consumption, replace imports from abroad, and produce goods for export;

Assign the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to urgently coordinate with the Provincial and Vientiane Capital Agriculture and Forestry Departments to effectively implement this order, and to periodically summarize reports and draw lessons from implementation. Through actual implementation, if any
Whatever difficulties arise, report urgently to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to find timely solutions.

This order is effective from the date of signing.

Phet Phomphiphak