Directive on Promoting the Export of Cattle and Water Buffalo to the People's Republic of China

Article

Lao People's Democratic Republic
Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity, Prosperity
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
No.: Kap

Vientiane Capital, Date: ?89??20?

Order
On Promoting and Supporting Cattle and Buffalo Farming for Export to the People's Republic of China

To: Heads of Offices, Departments, and Institutes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry;
Heads of Provincial and Capital Agriculture and Forestry Offices nationwide.

- Pursuant to the amended Law on Livestock and Veterinary Medicine No. 08/NA, dated 11 November 2016;
- Pursuant to the Decree on Organization and Operation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry No. 603/PM, dated 15 October 2021;
According to the letter of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries No. 2469/ກລປ dated June 25, 2024.

In order to continue implementing the Agreement on Quarantine and Health Standards for Large Animals from the Lao PDR to be exported to the People's Republic of China (Revised Version) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, signed on November 29, 2022, and to promote and encourage the large-scale farming of large animals, specifically cattle and buffalo, as commodities nationwide, making it a widespread, extensive movement that can guarantee quantity and quality according to the export standards for large animals (cattle and buffalo) to the People's Republic of China.

The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry issues the order:
1. Let the Office, departments, institutes, second-level technical units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Provincial and Vientiane Capital Agriculture and Forestry Offices coordinate with relevant central and local sectors to organize dissemination so that state organizations, private sector, farmers, and operators nationwide clearly and deeply understand the cattle-buffalo commodity standards for export to China: cattle-buffalo must weigh 350 kg/head or more, age not exceeding 4 years, without breed restriction.

2. Let the Provincial and Vientiane Capital Agriculture and Forestry Offices take initiative in planning and promoting the people and livestock operators to focus on raising cattle-buffalo as commodities in all areas.
Within their respective provinces, by designating cattle and buffalo raising areas according to the suitability of each locality, while also promoting standardized farm-based animal husbandry to increase steadily, the distance of (cattle-buffalo) raising in each locality, and applying technical methods in conjunction with creating disease-free zones, with all available efforts; the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, in coordination with the provincial agriculture and forestry offices and Vientiane capital, shall focus on promoting the cultivation of various forage crops such as Ruzi grass, Guinea, Mulato, Napier, Juncao, soybean, and other fodder plants to provide quality animal feed. At the same time, there shall be promotion of the cultivation and use of potatoes, corn, soybeans, and protein-rich plants.
To produce mixed feed and supplementary feed for cattle and buffalo. Encourage people to use waste from cultivation and agricultural processing, such as cassava leaves, residues from corn and soybean harvesting, sugarcane tops, molasses, distiller's grains, brewer's grains, as raw materials for feed formulas. At the same time, promote and transfer techniques for storing animal feed to feed animals during feed shortages through methods such as making hay, silage, straw bales, mineral blocks, and other necessary supplements.

Assign the Institute of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development to study on improving and breeding quality cattle and buffalo that can meet standard requirements.
From trading partner countries to reserve cattle and buffalo breeds for operators to raise as export commodities;
Assign the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to coordinate with provincial and Vientiane capital agriculture and forestry departments to continue establishing and expanding the veterinary network at the village level nationwide to enhance surveillance, monitoring of animal disease outbreaks, and seasonal vaccination, ensuring regular and continuous protection for people's livestock. At the same time, focus on improving and building infrastructure and personnel in animal disease analysis and research to be swift and effective;
Assign provincial and Vientiane capital agriculture and forestry departments to regularly collect statistical data on cattle and buffalo farmers and the population of cattle and buffalo in their respective provinces to balance supply and demand.
Be able to produce and supply for local consumption, and systematically plan to develop such livestock farming as an export commodity;

Assign the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to establish a database on livestock farms, including farm name, farm location, species and breeds raised, number of livestock, and other necessary information, as well as inspect and certify farm standards according to the Good Agricultural Practices for Cattle and Buffalo Farms of the Lao PDR (standard code: MKP-LP-2022-000017), dated May 6, 2022.

Furthermore, proceed with branding registration for livestock on the farms to facilitate management and enable traceability of animal history during movement and export sale abroad;
Assign the Department of Planning and Cooperation to coordinate with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries and relevant parties, closely liaise with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, to negotiate and designate cattle-buffalo farms that meet Good Operating Standards for cattle-buffalo farms in the Lao PDR as animal fattening farms (45-day consolidation zone) and adjust the quarantine period at quarantine centers from 30 days to between 7-14 days to comply with the regulations of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Prohibit the Department of Livestock and Fisheries from permitting the import of cattle and buffalo for export abroad without having been raised in the Lao PDR. Allow the import of cattle and buffalo for breeding stock (sires and dams) and cattle, buffalo.
Aged 18-24 months, with a suitable frame for fattening, to increase value by at least 40% or more
And before exporting the said fattened cattle to China, a certificate of origin must be obtained
Or they are animals of the Lao PDR, according to the applicable regulations;

10. Let the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, in coordination with various agencies and operators, prepare conditions
for the processing of animal products, by promoting incentives, the construction of slaughterhouses that meet international standards
To transform animal products into cuts of meat and frozen meat, for domestic supply and export
abroad;

11. Let the Department of Livestock and Fisheries and the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices, Vientiane Capital, coordinate
with relevant sectors, organize the dissemination of this order to achieve good results, and also
Summarize reports and draw lessons learned in the implementation periodically;

12. This order replaces Order No. 0799/ກປ dated June 23, 2021, and is effective from the date of signature.

Distribution

1. Cabinet of the Ministry of ກປ, 1 copy each; (for guidance)
2. Office, 1 copy; ຄນຄາ ດວງສະຫວນ
3. All departments, institutes and level-2 units, 1 copy each; (for implementation)
4. Provincial and Vientiane Capital Departments of ກປ, 1 copy each; (for implementation)
5. Research and Synthesis Department, 1 copy; (for monitoring)
6. Secretariat and Protocol Department, 1 copy. (for filing)