DECISION

PROMULGATION OF BASIC GAP GUIDANCE FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN VIETNAM

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 199/2013/ND-CP dated November 29, 2013 defining the Functions, Tasks, Powers and Organizational Structure of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to Decision No. 379/QD-BNN-KHCN dated January 28, 2008 by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on promulgation of the Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP); 

At the request of Director of Department of Crop Production,

HEREBY DECIDES:

Article 1. The “Basic GAP guidance for vegetable production in Vietnam” is promulgated together with this Decision.

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Article 3. Head of the Ministry’s Office, Director of Department of Crop Production, heads of units affiliated to Ministry, Directors of Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of provinces or central-affiliated cities and relevant entities and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.

PP. MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER




Le Quoc Doanh

BASIC GAP GUIDANCE

FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN VIETNAM
(Enclosed with the Decision No. 2998/QD-BNN-TT dated July 02, 2014 by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

1. Interpretation of terms

a) “Basic GAP guidance for vegetable production in Vietnam” is a collection of principles, basic procedures and guidelines for assisting entities and individuals in production, harvesting and postharvest handling of produce so as to ensure the produce quality and serve the traceability work.

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2. Production sites

a) The production area must be located in the planning area; farming land, water for irrigation and washing produce must satisfy safety standards as regulated.

b) If the risk of contaminating produce with chemical, biological and physical hazards of the site is high and unable to control, the site will not be used for VietGAP production.

c) Testing for safety level at the production site (e.g. analysis of soil samples and sources of water at the production site) shall be carried out in accordance with regulations.  Remedial actions should be taken to manage the risk of contamination.

3. Soil and field sanitation

a) Measures to prevent soil erosion and degradation as well as appropriate cultivation techniques (e.g. tillage, application of organic fertilizer, rotation of crops, etc.) should be implemented so as to protect agricultural land.

b) Appropriate measures shall be adopted to minimize risk of contamination of soil, water sources and the environment at the production site. Waste generated from the application of pesticides must be collected and stored at appropriate places.

c) Production conditions are recorded and kept properly (see table 4).

4. Fertilizers and soil additives

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b) Untreated organic fertilizers (e.g. fresh manure or undecomposed organic materials) are not applied. Where organic materials are treated on the farm before application, treatment method must be properly applied with appropriate duration of treatment.

c) Specific procedure for application of fertilizers to each type of plants (method of fertilizer application and dosage, etc.) must be strictly complied so as to prevent the overuse of fertilizers which may adversely affect the quality of produce.

d) Fertilizers must be stored or kept at appropriate areas so as to prevent adverse influence on human health and quality of produce.

e) Production records and documents: Record of production practices, record of procurement of agricultural supplies (table 1 and table 2) and record of production inputs (table 6 and table 7).

5. Sources of water for agricultural production

a) Only sources of water that meet safety standards as regulated are used for production activities (for irrigation, washing and postharvest handling).

b) Sewage water or water discharged from industrial sources, hospitals, residential areas, animal farms, abattoirs, etc. is not used during production (for irrigation, washing and postharvest handling).

c) Any occurrence of risk of contaminating sources of water for irrigation or washing produce must be promptly reported. At the same time, remedial actions shall be timely taken and recorded in the record of production conditions (table 4).

6. Application of pesticides and chemicals

a) Workers and employers must be trained in safe use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture so as to ensure safety for human and produce.

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c) Pesticides and chemicals must be obtained from licensed suppliers.

d) Pesticides and chemicals must be properly managed and used according to the guidance of competent technicians and instructions in the product label so as to ensure the compliance with the “4 rights” (right pesticide, right time, right dosage/concentration and right method) rule. To be specific:

- Pesticides and chemicals are only used when the pests or crop diseases reach the threshold levels. The overuse should be avoided;

- Only unexpired pesticides and chemicals on the list of pesticides permitted for use in Vietnam are applied;

- Chemicals are applied according to the instructions in label or the guidance of in-charge technicians so as to ensure safety for human and produce;

- Appropriate warning signs should be placed at areas (crop fields) which have been newly applied with pesticides or chemicals for public safety;

- Pesticides and chemicals that are residual or remained in containers must be properly treated to prevent the pollution of environment.

e) Production records and documents: Record of production practices, record of procurement of agricultural supplies for each type of plants and each crop from the cultivation time to the harvesting time, including the following information: production site, date and name of pesticides or chemicals applied, name of pests, dosage, application method and operator name, etc. (table 1 and table 2) and record of production inputs (table 6 and table 7).

g) Pesticides and chemicals must be properly stored or kept at separate places so as to prevent them from posing adverse influence on human health and produce quality.

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i) Regular or unscheduled inspections shall be conducted to inspect the compliance of production practices and chemical residue levels in produce upon the request of either the customer or the regulatory authority. MRL (maximum residue limit) criteria for chemical residues must be assessed at national or international laboratory.

7. Harvesting and postharvest handling

a) Withholding periods (from the application of fertilizer, pesticide or chemical) must be strictly observed when harvesting produce.

b) Harvested produce should not be placed in direct contact with the soil; keeping produce overnight is limited.

c) Harvested produce must be washed using clean water that must meet safety standards according to current regulations.

d) Equipment, materials and containers:

- Equipment, containers or materials that are in direct contact with the produce must be made of materials that will not contaminate produce;

- Containers used for storage of waste, chemicals and other dangerous substances are clearly identified and are not used for holding produce;

- Equipment and containers are regularly checked and maintained to minimize the contamination of produce. Equipment, containers and materials must be checked for soundness and cleanliness before use;

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e) Primary treatment and packaging of produce

Grease, oil, fuel and farm machinery must be segregated from handling, packing and storage areas; drainage systems must be constructed to prevent contamination of produce.

g) Storage and transport:

- Transport vehicles and containers for storage of transported produce must be carefully cleaned;

- Produce is stored and transported separately from goods that are a potential source of contamination.

h) Documented record of harvesting and sale of produce must be kept (table 3)

8. Waste management and treatment

Measures must be taken to manage and treat waste and sewage from production, handling and storage of produce.

9. Training and management of training and propagation activities

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b) Propagation activities should be regularly performed so as to improve people’s awareness of foods safety and hygiene as well as production of fresh produce.

c) Training and propagation activities must be documented and record is kept properly (table 8).

10. Documents and Records, Traceability and Recall

a) Entities and individuals engaged in production of vegetables according to the "Basic GAP guidance for vegetable production in Vietnam” must sufficiently update and keep crop-field records and production management records.

b) Crop-field records and production management records must be regularly updated and inspected.

c) Crop-field records and production management records must be monitored, managed and kept at the production site.

d) Documents and records must be kept for a minimum period of at least two years or for a longer period if required by customers or regulatory authorities.

e) Produce must be clearly marked or labeled with identification, including name and address of producer, to enable traceability of the produce.

g) If it is discovered that contamination parameters of produce are in excess of the permissible limits, the harvesting and trading of produce must be suspended; produce must be recalled immediately; The cause of contamination must investigated and remedial actions should be promptly taken to prevent or minimize the re-occurrence. The contamination and remedial actions must be recorded in the record of harvesting and sale of produce (table 3) and properly retained.

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a) Entities and individuals engaged in production of vegetables according to the "Basic GAP guidance for vegetable production in Vietnam” must conduct internal audit at least once each crop or each year (table 9).

b) Results of regular or unscheduled internal audits or external audits by competent authorities must be recorded and retained according to regulations (table 5)./.

CROP-FIELD RECORDS

(For producers or farm households)

(Enclosed with the “Basic GAP guidance for vegetable production in Vietnam” promulgated under Decision No. 2998/QD-BNN-TT dated July 02, 2014 by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

TABLE 1. RECORD OF PRODUCTION PRACTICES

Name of crop field (number): ............................ Area:. .................. (m²/ha)

Name of crop plant: …………………………. Planting materials:……………….

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Labour protection clothing: yes (  ); no ( ). Waste generated from using pesticides is kept at prescribed places: yes (  ); no ( ).

Date
(solar calendar)

Work

Name of pesticide/ fertilizer, or others

Name of pest/ crop disease

Quantity
(kilograms, grams, liters, milliliters, packs)

Follow guidance
(x mark)

Warning signs
(x mark)

Detection of risks

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TABLE 2. RECORD OF PROCUREMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

Place of storage of pesticides/ fertilizers (warehouse): ………………………………………

Date
(solar calendar)

Name of pesticide/ fertilizer, varieties, or others

Quantity
(Kilograms, grams, liters, milliliters, bottles or packs)

Unit price
VND/kg, liter, bottle or pack)

Purchased from co-operative/ of householder
(x mark)

Other supplier

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Name

Address

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Note:  Agricultural supply stores of the Co-operatives are granted license and operate under the supervision of specialized agency.

TABLE 3. RECORD OF HARVESTING AND SALE OF PRODUCE

Place of primary treatment/ storage of produce: ……………………………………………

Address of local market (if retailed): …………………………………………………………

Date
(solar calendar)

Harvest

Sale of produce

Detected risks/ remedial actions
(x mark)

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Type of crop plants

Name/ code of crop field

Withholding period
(days)

Quantity
(kg, plants)

Price
(VND/ kg or plant)

Selling method/ buyer

Retailing
(x)

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Sale under contract

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Note:  Table 3 is used for recording all types of produce (vegetables of various kinds) harvested from different crop fields; Withholding period is calculated from the date of final application of pesticides to the date of harvest; The columns of retailing and detected risks are marked with (x), if applicable.   

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT RECORDS

(For technicians, Co-operatives, or heads of production groups)

(Enclosed with the “Basic GAP guidance for vegetable production in Vietnam” promulgated under Decision No. 2998/QD-BNN-TT dated July 02, 2014 by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

TABLE 4. RECORD OF PRODUCTION CONDITIONS

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Total area for vegetable production of the production unit (farming area):…………………….. (ha)

Source of irrigation water:……………………… Environmental conditions: Satisfactory…………………. Unsatisfactory……………………..

Date of taking samples (soil, water):…………………………………… Person in charge: ............................

Laboratory in charge of analyzing samples: ………………………………………………..

Actual production conditions

Detections and remedial actions

Conditions

Contamination-causing agents

Current assessment

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Remedial actions

Person in charge

Satisfactory

Unsatisfactory

Soil

Heavy metals

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Water for irrigation

Heavy metals

Harmful microorganisms

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Water for handling or washing produce

Heavy metals

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Pesticides

Nitrate

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Harmful microorganisms

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- Any occurrence of risks of contamination must be promptly reported so as to find out suitable remedial actions.

- Allowable limits of heavy metals in soil: As regulated in the National Technical Regulation No. QCVN03:2008/BTNMT

- Allowable limits of heavy metals and harmful microorganism in irrigation water:  As regulated in the National Technical Regulation on water quality for irrigated agriculture No. QCVN 39: 2011 BTNMT. 

- Water used for handling/ washing produce:  As regulated in the National Technical Regulation on domestic water quality No. QCVN 02: 2009 BYT.

TABLE 5. LOCAL PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT RECORD

Production unit: ...................................... Commune:......................... District:....................... Province:……….....

Total land area for vegetable production……………..(ha); Number of members…………………. Crops/year……………..

GAP area:………………….. (ha); Number of participants in GAP model:…………………

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Main produce: ...................................................................................................

No.

Managed production region

Results of internal audit (in crop or in year)

Name of farm household

Production area
(m²)

Code of crop field

Date/ Contents of audit

Results

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Unsatisfactory

1

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Note:  If a production unit includes several participants, each participant shall be managed by a separate record; Results of internal audit for each crop/ year (using the template of Internal Audit Checklist) shall be included in this record for monitoring production activities of each participant.

TABLE 6. RECORD OF PRODUCTION INPUTS (BUYING/ WAREHOUSING AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES)

Name of store: ...................................... Address: ............................ Warehouse:…......

Code/ Business License:……………………….. Full name of store owner:………………

Production unit:………………………………………..  Controller (if any)…………………..

Date

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Quantity
(bottle, box, pack or bag)

Unit
(g, kg, ml, l)

Manufacturer/ distributor

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Note:  This record may be in each book (Book of warehousing of agricultural supplies of production unit)

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TABLE 7. RECORD OF PRODUCTION INPUTS (SELLING/ PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES)

Production unit: ………………………………….…………………………………………………

Controller (if any)……………………………………………………………………………………

Date

Name of pesticide, fertilizer, varieties, or others (specify name in product packing or label)

Quantity
(bottle, box, pack or bag)

Unit
(g, kg, ml, l)

Store

Buyer

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Note:  This record may be in each book (Book of delivery of agricultural supplies of production unit)

TABLE 8. RECORD OF TRAINING AND PROPAGATION ACTIVITIES 

Production unit:……………………………. Commune:………………………… District:…………………………….. Province:………………………….

Full name of the head of production unit:……………………………… Technician in charge:…………………….

Date

Training

Propagation

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Training contents

Training period
(days)

Certificate granted
(x mark)

Propagation contents

Response to propagation
(x mark)

New ideas/ initiatives
(if any)

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INTERNAL AUDIT

(For internal audit each crop or each year)

(Enclosed with the “Basic GAP guidance for vegetable production in Vietnam” promulgated under Decision No. 2998/QD-BNN-TT dated July 02, 2014 by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

TABLE 9. INTERNAL AUDIT CHECKLIST

No.

Practices

Level

Notes

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Production conditions

1

Is the production site conformable with the Government’s planning and local planning for each type of crop plants to be cultivated?

A

2

Whether the production site meets safety standards (quality of soil and irrigation water) as regulated or not?

A

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Soil and field sanitation

3

Have the risks of contaminating produce with chemical, biological and physical hazards in the production site been analyzed and assessed properly?

A

III

Fertilizers and soil additives

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Are only types of fertilizers on the List of fertilizers permitted for production and trading in Vietnam applied?

A

5

Are the organic fertilizers applied on farm are treated properly? Are these organic fertilizers properly documented?

A

6

Is the record of fertilizers and soil additives purchased and applied on farm available and kept properly?

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IV

Sources of water for agricultural production

7

Does the quality of water for irrigation and postharvest handling of produce meet current water quality standards?

A

V

Application of pesticides and chemicals

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Have the workers and employers been trained in safe use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture?

A

9

Are Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) applied?

B

10

Whether the chemicals, pesticides and/or bio-pesticides applied on farm are on the List of pesticides permitted for use in Vietnam or not?

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11

Are chemicals, pesticides and other agricultural supplies supplied by licensed stores?

B

12

Does the use of pesticides and chemicals follow the guidance of a competent technician and instructions on product label?

A

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Is the record of using chemicals and pesticides made and kept as regulated?

A

14

Is the destruction of chemicals and packaging thereof performed in accordance with regulations?

A

15

Whether regular or unscheduled inspections are conducted to inspect the compliance of production practices and chemical residue levels in produce or not?

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VI

Harvesting and postharvest handling

16

Is the withholding period in harvesting strictly observed?

A

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Is the area for handling, packing and storage of produce segregated from the area for storage of chemicals and other substances that may cause the contamination of produce?

A

18

Is the harvested produce washed by clean water?

A

19

Does the quality of water used for postharvest handling of produce meet the applicable water quality standards?

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VII

Waste management and treatment

20

Have waste and wastewater been collected and treated properly?

A

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Training and management of training and propagation activities

21

Whether workers are trained to a level appropriate to their area of responsibility in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or not?

A

22

Whether the production area that has been sprayed with pesticides is clearly identified by warning signs or not?

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IX

Production documents and records, traceability and recall

23

Have crop-field records and production management records been sufficiently made and updated?

A

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Has the internal audit been conducted? Whether results of internal audit are documented and retained?

A

25

Whether the produce is clearly marked or labeled with an identification to enable traceability work or not?

A

X

Internal audit

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26

Has the internal audit/ assessment been conducted every year or every crop?

A

Note:  

- Levels of implementation required: compulsory and necessary to implement as required by VietGAP guidance  

- A means the implementation is compulsory; B means the implementation is necessary; The inspection or audit team shall be established depending on specific requirements and conditions.  

Quyết định 2998/QĐ-BNN-TT năm 2014 hướng dẫn thực hiện các tiêu chí cơ bản của VietGAP cho sản xuất rau do Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn ban hành