Faced with the situation of confiscating tons of pork of unknown origin, collecting dead and sick pigs to slaughter and then use to make ham, sausage... The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requested to rectify management work.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien has just sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities requesting to rectify the management and control of animal slaughter, ensuring disease safety and food safety during the Lunar New Year.
The document clearly states that recently, the media has continuously reported on the discovery of slaughterhouses violating the laws on environmental protection and food safety during their operations.
In addition, illegal pig slaughterhouses were discovered, tons of meat of unknown origin were seized, and sick and dead pigs were collected for slaughter and then sold to processing facilities to make ham, sausages, etc. Poultry entering and leaving wholesale markets were not quarantined according to regulations.
Authorities have discovered and stopped many shipments of animal products that do not meet veterinary hygiene and food safety requirements for business.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Lunar New Year 2025 is approaching, the demand for livestock and poultry meat is increasing. However, the reality shows that there is lax management by local authorities and management agencies at slaughterhouses. This leads to a high risk of food safety, affecting the health of consumers, spreading animal diseases and polluting the environment.
Faced with the above situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct relevant departments, branches and sectors to strengthen inspection and examination work, especially inspection and surprise inspection of veterinary and food safety for animal slaughterhouses.
It is necessary to strictly handle and stop the operation of unlicensed animal slaughterhouses; especially small-scale slaughterhouses that do not ensure veterinary hygiene and food safety conditions, slaughter animals that die from epidemics and are not controlled by veterinary staff according to regulations.
Require the implementation of a proactive food safety monitoring program for foods of animal origin.
Along with that, build and implement coordination regulations between the government and veterinary, medical, police, market management forces... in the management of animal slaughter activities. Regularly exchange information and coordinate promptly when handling cases related to animal transportation, slaughter, food safety for livestock and poultry meat.
VN (according to Vietnamnet)