Ensuring community supervision in environmental protection work

On the morning of November 6, discussing at Group 13 (including the National Assembly Delegation of Son La and Vinh Long provinces) on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of 15 laws in the fields of agriculture and environment, delegates suggested focusing on ensuring the right to participate and supervise the community in environmental protection work, publicizing data on the environment and resources to make state management transparent.

Delegates discuss at Group 13. Photo: Manh Hung

Discussing the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of 15 laws in the fields of agriculture and environment, National Assembly member Cha A Cua (Son La) suggested that this amendment should be approached in a way that ensures the consistency and synchronization of the legal system, while strengthening the mechanism of publicity and transparency in the management of natural resources and the environment. The delegate emphasized the need to focus on ensuring the right to participate and supervise the community and businesses in the process of amending and perfecting the legal system on environment, natural resources and biodiversity.

According to delegates, the focus on community consultation mechanisms in environmental impact assessment along with regulations on public disclosure of environmental and resource data represents a clear step forward in transparency of state management. At the same time, clearly defining the responsibilities of enterprises according to the principle of "polluters pay" not only increases legal binding but also encourages enterprises to proactively apply clean technology, minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

National Assembly Delegate Cha A Cua ( Son La ) speaks. Photo: Manh Hung

"These regulations contribute to enhancing people's trust and increasing social supervision, thereby helping environmental policies and laws truly come into life, ensuring economic development associated with sustainable protection of natural resources," the delegate stated.

Regarding the Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine, delegates proposed studying a mechanism for assigning specific tasks to plant quarantine forces at the provincial level, linked with the coordination responsibilities of agricultural agencies and commune-level authorities, ensuring that monitoring activities are not interrupted when the district level is removed.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Manh Hung

Regarding the Law on Animal Husbandry, some opinions suggested adding provisions on electronic registration and traceability in the declaration of animal feed, to avoid overlapping procedures. At the same time, when regulating livestock density, environmental criteria should be added. Delegates also suggested clarifying the responsibilities of livestock facilities and state management agencies in waste management, ensuring consistency with the Law on Environmental Protection.

Regarding the Law on Biodiversity, delegates proposed adding regulations on assessing ecological impacts when introducing new species into conservation areas; clarifying the benefit-sharing mechanism in accessing genetic resources to ensure national sovereignty and interests.

Regarding the Forestry Law, delegates proposed that temporary forest use must be consistent with forest classification and clearly define the responsibilities of investors and forest owners; and proposed allowing the use of replacement forest planting money to purchase available planted forest areas if they meet the criteria for planted forests, thereby encouraging socialized forest planting.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Manh Hung

Regarding the Law on Cultivation, some opinions suggested clarifying whether the registration of growing area codes and packaging facilities is mandatory or voluntary; at the same time, regulating the relationship between growing area codes and traceability for export purposes.

Delegates also recommended that the drafting agency continue to comprehensively review relevant regulations to ensure the consistency of the legal system; at the same time, strengthen the social supervision mechanism, promote the responsibility of businesses and the community in environmental protection, towards sustainable agricultural development, harmonizing economic benefits and natural resource conservation.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/bao-dam-quyen-giam-sat-cua-cong-dong-trong-cong-toc-bao-ve-moi-truong-10394659.html