New regulations coming into force from the middle of May, 2017

1. Support policies for salt industry

On April 05, 2017, the Government promulgates the Decree No. 40/2017/ND-CP on salt production and trading management. This is the first legislative document providing detailed regulations on this industry.

Credit support policies for salt producers and traders are the most remarkable contents of the said Decree. To be specific:

- Qualified salt producers and traders may apply for preferential loans from the Vietnam Development Bank and Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to meet their funding demand for making investment in salt business activities.

- A borrower may get 100% of interest rate covered by state budget in first two years and 50% of that in the third year, and may apply for a maximum loan amount equal to 100% of total investment in salt production line and equipment.

Additionally, the Government also promulgates the Decree No. 32/2017/ND-CP on state investment loans. 

According to this Decree, Group-A, B investment projects for construction of industrial salt production plants which are specified in the List of projects eligible for investment loans shall be eligible to apply for investment loans from the Vietnam Development Bank regardless of investment locations.

The said credit support policies are expected to facilitate both traditional and industrial salt production industries to increase their values and international competitiveness.

The Decree No. 40/2017/ND-CP is coming into force as from May 20, 2017 and the Decree No. 32/2017/ND-CP is coming into force as from May 15, 2017.

2. Regulatory framework for animal feeds and aqua feeds

The Decree No. 39/2017/ND-CP providing regulatory framework for animal feeds and aqua feeds is coming into force as from May 20, 2017 and supersedes the Decree No. 08/2010/ND-CP on regulatory framework for animal feeds.

Within the duration of 18 months as from the date of entry into force of the Decree No. 39:
 
- Facilities manufacturing and processing commercial animal and aqua feeds shall be responsible for making declaration of conformity with eligibility requirements for facilities manufacturing and processing animal and aqua feeds in accordance with regulations in Article 24 of the Decree.

- Facilities manufacturing and trading commercial animal and aqua feeds shall be responsible for re-declaration of trade names of animal and aqua feed products in breach of regulations laid down in Clause 2.b Article 12 of the Decree.

Besides, the Decree No. 41/2017/ND-CP providing amendment and supplementation to a number of Articles of the Decree No. 119/2013/ND-CP on administrative penalties in aquaculture, veterinary, animal breeds, and animal feeds is coming into force as from May 20, 2017.

The fine imposed for use of prohibited substance for production, processing of animal feed and trade in animal feed containing any prohibited substance (a fine ranging from VND 70,000,000 to VND 100,000,000) shall be unchanged but this fine shall be imposed for the use of each single prohibited substance instead of each discovery of acts of violations as currently applied.

3. Increase of penalties for illegal discharge of wastewater into water bodies

This is the remarkable content prescribed in the Decree No. 33/2017/ND-CP that provides for administrative penalties in the fields of water and mineral resources and supersedes the Government's Decree No. 142/2013/ND-CP. />
According to this Decree, a fine ranging from VND 100,000,000 to VND 120,000,000 instead of a prevailing fine ranging from VND 30,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 shall be imposed for any of the following violations:

- Discharge of wastewater into water bodies at the locations/ co-ordinates other than those prescribed in the license.

- Discharge of wastewater into water bodies against the methods or regulations prescribed in the license.

In addition to the said regulations, a fine ranging from VND 120,000,000 to VND 130,000,000 shall be imposed for failure to prepare personnel, necessary equipment and means to cope with the water pollution incidents. This is also the most remarkable regulation of the said Decree.

Decree No. 33/2017/ND-CP is coming into force as from May 20, 2017.

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