Final post: Need to find a solution quickly

It is known that from 2004 to 2022, in Lao Cai city, there were 4 concentrated slaughterhouses for livestock and poultry, distributed in 4 locations: Duyen Hai ward, Kim Tan ward, Lao Cai ward and Van Hoa commune. However, the slaughterhouse in Van Hoa commune quickly closed after about 1 month of operation due to its location far from the center, difficult to travel, so there were no customers. The facility in Duyen Hai ward maintained operations until 2012 when it stopped operating.

Regarding Thanh Cong concentrated livestock slaughterhouse (located next to Ngoi Dum stream) in group 1, Kim Tan ward, although it has been invested in a relatively systematic manner, since May 2023, the local government has requested this facility to stop operating because it is no longer suitable for planning and causes environmental pollution. In particular, according to the results of the veterinary hygiene inspection on May 12, 2023 by the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, out of 17 assessment criteria (according to the National Technical Regulations requiring veterinary hygiene for concentrated animal slaughterhouses), this facility has 14 criteria that are not met, so it is not eligible for a veterinary hygiene certificate and must stop operating.

Thus, in Lao Cai city, there is currently only one centralized slaughterhouse owned by Ms. Phung Thi Hoa in group 29, Lao Cai ward still operating.

Lesson 1: Illegal operations are rampant

According to the reporter's investigation, although the authorities have requested to temporarily suspend slaughter control due to failure to ensure relevant infrastructure and veterinary hygiene conditions, currently every night the centralized slaughterhouse in Group 1, Kim Tan Ward is still "lit up".

Discussing this issue, Ms. Doan Thi Ngoc, Chairman of Kim Tan Ward People's Committee, said: Immediately after the direction of the City People's Committee and the announcement of the veterinary agency, the ward government requested the concentrated livestock slaughterhouse in Group 1 of Hoang Long Trading and Service Joint Stock Company to stop operations and find a new location to move. However, in the ward area, there is currently no more area that can be planned to build a concentrated livestock and poultry slaughterhouse and must wait for the planning of the City People's Committee.

Not only Kim Tan ward but most wards and communes in the city are facing difficulties because there is no location to build a centralized slaughterhouse.

For example, the small-scale slaughterhouse in Group 29, Lao Cai Ward owned by Ms. Phung Thi Hoa is currently the only location with veterinary control, but this location is also facing problems related to planning issues. Specifically, according to relevant regulations of the livestock and veterinary industry, the geographical location, infrastructure is invested synchronously with a methodical, closed process, and trained workers, so this facility is qualified to operate. However, according to planning related to the construction industry and land use purposes, this facility has problems, so although it is operating, the owner of this facility is still "nervous" because it can be asked to close at any time.

According to Mr. Pham Tuan Cuong, Head of the Economic Department of Lao Cai City, the biggest obstacle in building a centralized slaughterhouse for livestock and poultry is planning and inviting large enterprises to invest in building modern factories. However, choosing a location that is suitable for urban development planning, meets the criteria but still has to be "attractive" enough for investors is very difficult due to lack of land fund...

For example, Thanh Cong concentrated slaughterhouse in group 1, Kim Tan ward is a facility that has been approved by provincial authorities for investment and also wishes to be arranged a new location for reinvestment and construction of modern, systematic infrastructure, but the locality has not yet arranged land for the enterprise, leading to the enterprise "wanting to go but not having a place to go".

Regarding the issue of building large-scale, concentrated facilities, more time is needed because the locality is actively reviewing the planning and has a number of feasible options. Lao Cai City is making great efforts and determination, it is expected that in about 2 more years, businesses can invest in building concentrated slaughterhouses.
Mr. Pham Tuan Cuong, Head of Economic Department of Lao Cai city

In fact, many small-scale slaughterhouses in Lao Cai city are located in people's homes in residential areas with limited space and inconsistent design. All slaughtering activities are carried out mainly on the floor or yard; waste and wastewater are not treated and discharged directly into the environment, causing pollution. In addition, most of the people who work in the slaughterhouse business have not been trained or educated on hygiene and food safety... most importantly, these places are not organized by the authorities to control epidemics. However, to "eliminate" these slaughterhouses, it is necessary to first arrange a location to build a centralized slaughterhouse that complies with regulations.

While the centralized facilities have not been built, Lao Cai city needs to temporarily build a facility with adequate infrastructure, environmental protection and veterinary control conditions. Along with that, it is necessary to strengthen inspection and resolutely close small-scale slaughterhouses located in residential areas; strictly control the trade of animal meat in the area, especially in markets...

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