VietNamNet Bridge – A recent directive of the agriculture and rural development ministry has asked provinces and cities to strictly deal with slaughterhouses and abattoirs that do not obey food hygiene and safety regulations.

The management of food safety and environmental hygiene is not always easy in small abattoirs – Photo: VNA/VNS

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat asked the provinces and cities to review slaughterhouses and promulgate policies to upgrade them or give them support in development plans.

Phat requested provincial and city leaders to strictly punish small slaughterhouses that do not possess business registrations as per current regulations.

The minister also suggested to the chairmen of the provincial and city People's Committees that the agriculture and rural development departments should tighten the management of veterinary hygiene, food safety and environmental hygiene in small slaughterhouses.

Several violations

Police and market watch authorities have been asked to tighten and have regular inspections of abattoirs, and to strictly deal with individuals and organisations that violate food hygiene and safety regulations.

The ministry's directives came after several violations by small abattoirs in some localities. The existence of so many small slaughterhouses in several northern provinces and cities can threaten food hygiene and safety.

The situation has cropped up because local authorities did not have slaughterhouse management plans or appropriate policies to support the building of new abattoirs or the upgrade of slaughterhouses in the city or provincial development plans, according to the ministry.

Weak collaboration between appropriate authorities in slaughterhouse management also was a reason why local authorities had not taken strict measures to close slaughterhouses that did not adequately meet food hygiene and safety regulations.

Source: VNS