Proposed law to overhaul Lao livestock operations
Proposed law to overhaul Lao livestock operations
Livestock farming and beef consumption in Laos will improve through the adoption of international standards if the Livestock and Veterinary Law is approved by the National Assembly next month.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry plans to propose the draft of the Livestock and Veterinary Law when the National Assembly convenes next month. The ministry has worked with the various sectors concerned to improve the draft so that Lao livestock farming methods fall in line with international standards.
The law details the implementation of each activity involved in improving the quality of livestock farming, animal disease prevention and treatment, the use of antibiotics, animal movement and product management, slaughterhouse operations, animal welfare, livestock raising and veterinary business management, rights and obligation of businesses and consumers, and rewards for good employees and penalties for rule violators.
The law also covers conflict resolution, job creation in the industry, management of the education curriculum, and prohibitions in various fields of operation.
The law aims to ensure that livestock farming moves away from traditional methods to safer and easier to manage methods, and better disease control. This will inspire confidence in domestic and foreign investors in the industry, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, DrBounkhouangKhambounheuang, told Vientiane Times this week.
The law will also outline rules on the management of beef production, and animal health and safety for commercial purposes and export.
It will also help border officials to know and exercise their rights when it comes to enforcing measures to prevent the spread of disease through the movement of animal products, as well as facilitate trade and stipulate mechanisms to improve coordination between the sectors involved.
The government is improving legislation in many fields to bring businesses and operations in line with international standards. This law is another important step in conforming with international laws, especially those laid down by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of which Laos became a member in 2013. Laos must also standardise its operations so as to integrate with the Asean Economic Community.
These changes are necessary for Laos to pursue a successful development path and graduate from Least Developed Country status by 2020 as targeted.
Laos is an agricultural country and has large areas of land suitable for livestock farming, but efficient management of the industry is still limited and most operations require foreign assistance.
The slaughter of livestock in some areas is poorly regulated, as is the inspection of the movement of livestock and animal products, with many systems poorly implemented.
The government has issued decrees on animal disease control and prevention, and the oversight of livestock and animal products, but all of these operations require improvement for regional and international integration.
