Resolutely handle 20 legal 'bottlenecks', creating breakthroughs for the Agriculture and Environment sectors

The draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of 15 laws in the field of Agriculture and Environment (A&E) was submitted to the National Assembly to immediately remove 20 legal bottlenecks, promote decentralization and reduce administrative procedures. This is considered an important step to perfect the institution, creating new space for sustainable development of resources and environment in the coming period.

On the morning of November 4, under the direction of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan, the National Assembly listened to the Presentation and Report on the examination of the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of 15 laws in the fields of agriculture and environment.

Institutional improvement

According to Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang, the drafting of the law aims to institutionalize the resolutions and conclusions of the Politburo, especially the policy of reorganizing the apparatus and two-level local government; strengthening decentralization and delegation; and at the same time, removing "bottlenecks" in current legal regulations.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang.

Minister Tran Duc Thang said that the draft law focuses on three major groups of contents. Firstly, on the arrangement of the organizational apparatus, decentralization and division of authority when organizing two-level local governments, the project is implemented in accordance with the provisions of Resolution 190 of the National Assembly .

Specifically, amend and supplement 67 articles in 14 laws to define authority in state management and 112 articles in 14 laws on decentralization of tasks of the Government and Prime Minister to Ministers, and from Ministers to Provincial People's Committees or Provincial People's Committee Chairmen.

Second, regarding the reduction and simplification of business investment conditions and administrative procedures, the draft Law amends and supplements 75 articles in 11 laws, abolishes business investment conditions in 26 articles of 8 laws, and adjusts 49 articles in 9 laws to create a favorable and fair business environment, with people and businesses at the center.

Third, regarding handling "bottlenecks" due to legal regulations, the Government identified 20 bottlenecks in 9 laws that need to be handled immediately in 2025, including 5 points that have been directed by competent authorities and 15 points that have been recommended by localities.

Minister Tran Duc Thang affirmed that the draft law amends and supplements a number of provisions to ensure consistency with newly promulgated laws such as the Law on Inspection, the Law amending and supplementing the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations, or the draft laws being submitted to the National Assembly at the 10th session such as the Law on Geology and Minerals, the Law on Planning, and the Law on Investment.

After the National Assembly Standing Committee gave its opinions at the 50th Session, the Government received, explained and revised the draft Law, closely coordinated with the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment and relevant agencies to complete the content to submit to the National Assembly for consideration, discussion and approval.

Need strong decentralization to localities

Presenting the Review Report, Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai said that the Committee agreed with the need to promulgate the draft law following a shortened procedure. The project dossier was fully prepared, in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents.

The Committee agreed that the draft Law has amended and supplemented regulations related to three major groups of contents: decentralization and delegation of power; reduction of investment conditions and administrative procedures; and handling of 20 legal "bottlenecks" in 15 amended laws.

Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai.

Regarding the Law on Animal Husbandry, the Committee proposed to strongly decentralize the authority to grant, re-grant and revoke Certificates of eligibility for animal feed production to localities. Regarding the Law on Veterinary Medicine, review the regulations on exemption from declaration of conformity in the veterinary field, ensuring flexibility in management but still assigning specific responsibilities to state management agencies in controlling the quality of veterinary drugs before circulation.

Regarding the Forestry Law, the Committee recommends reviewing regulations on converting forest use purposes to other purposes, ensuring compliance with reality; at the same time, it is necessary to clarify the concept of "forest area" to accurately determine forest status during implementation.

With the Law on Water Resources, it is necessary to clarify the scale and content of local adjustments to the operating procedures of reservoirs and inter-reservoirs when assigning authority to the Minister of Agriculture and Environment to decide on approving adjustments and reporting to the Prime Minister. The draft Law also needs to clearly stipulate the responsibilities and coordination mechanism between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and relevant agencies in cutting and reducing floods for downstream areas.

Regarding the Law on Cultivation, the Committee recommends carefully considering the removal of the content on the topsoil layer of land specialized for wet rice cultivation. Accordingly, the Government should be assigned to provide detailed guidance to retain the nutritional value of crops, protect the land fund for rice cultivation, ensure national food security and allow flexible use of some rice land areas for other purposes without losing the conditions for rice cultivation again.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-de-quan-tam/xu-ly-dut-diem-20-diem-nghen-phap-luat-tao-dot-pha-cho-nganh-nong-nghiep-va-moi-truong-20251104155809195.htm