Impact assessment and policy communication in the agricultural and environmental sector

Impact assessment and consultation, policy communication are among the important tasks in the legal work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

With the characteristics of being a multi-sectoral, multi-field management ministry, the policies developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD) have a profound and wide impact on people's lives, rural livelihoods and national sustainable development. Therefore, all policies (new laws and ordinances; replacement laws and ordinances; amended and supplemented laws; pilot resolutions of the National Assembly) must be thoroughly assessed for impact and fully consulted, communicated and consulted before being submitted to the Government.

Assess the overall impact of the policy

According to Decision 4479/QD-BNNMT promulgating the Regulations on legal work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the policy impact assessment process is carried out methodically, ensuring scientific and objective nature.

Based on the policy development plan approved by the Minister, the policy development unit is responsible for organizing the policy impact assessment. The policy impact assessment is carried out using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods; priority is given to the use of quantitative methods. The information and data used in the preparation of the policy impact assessment report must be accurate, truthful and the source of information must be clearly stated.

Agricultural and environmental policies are assessed for impact before promulgation to ensure their constitutionality, legality and suitability to the socio- economic situation. Photo: Pham Oanh.

The policy impact assessment report must clearly show the impact assessment content for each policy implementation solution, including: Impact on the legal system is assessed based on analysis of the policy's constitutionality, legality, consistency with the legal system; compatibility with relevant international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

Socio-economic impacts are assessed based on analysis and forecast of costs, benefits, positive and negative impacts on one or several issues related to production, business, employment, ethnicity, religion, culture, health, education, environment, national defense, security, decentralization, decentralization, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, and other issues related to socio-economics.

Gender impacts (if any) are assessed based on analysis of opportunities, conditions, capacity to implement and enjoy rights and benefits of each gender.

The impact of administrative procedures (if any) is assessed based on an analysis of the necessity of administrative procedures to implement the policy.

In case the policy implementation solution has been approved by the competent authority, it is not necessary to assess the policy impact.

Policy communication - ensuring social consensus

According to Decision 4479/QD-BNNMT, the policy development unit is responsible for implementing 6 main groups of tasks to collect opinions, consult, and communicate policies.

The presiding unit prepares a complete dossier including a draft submission; a policy impact assessment report; a legal review report; and a policy legalization explanation. Submit to the Minister or Deputy Minister in charge for review and approval of the policy dossier to be sent for comments and consultation.

Organize written consultations with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, National Assembly delegations, ministries, ministerial-level agencies and other relevant agencies, organizations and individuals in writing or organize consultation conferences with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Science and Technology. Organize consultation conferences with the Standing Committee of the Nationalities Council, Standing Committee of the National Assembly, ministries and ministerial-level agencies on directly related policies within the scope and field of responsibility during the policy-making process.

After that, the unit in charge will synthesize, research, receive, and fully explain comments and policy consultation; post the summary of comments, receive, and explain comments on the Ministry's electronic information portal no later than 25 days from the end of the comment period. Organize policy communication from the time of collecting comments from the subjects directly affected by the policy until the policy is approved.

Communication content includes the need to issue policies; basic content of policies; other content. Communication is carried out through posting on the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's electronic information portal and other appropriate forms of communication.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/danh-gia-tac-dong-va-truyen-thong-chinh-sach-linh-vuc-nong-nghiep--moi-truong-d782415.html