Cambodia: Animal husbandry regulation toughens

• May 07, 2018

The government is tightening regulation on the veterinary and animal husbandry industry with a recently released Prakas that makes it mandatory for companies dealing in pharmaceuticals for pets and livestock to register with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The new directive, Prakas 208 on ‘Procedures and standard requirements for the registration of drugs in the veterinary industry’, was signed on Friday by Minister of Agriculture Veng Sakhon.

As per the new law, companies must conclude the registration process before they are allowed to sell their products in the local market.

“Companies that import, export, buy, sell, manufacture or package pharmaceuticals for the veterinary or husbandry industries must register their products in advance to comply with the law,” the Prakas said.

The new directive aims to standardise procedures in the industry and manage the drug registry in order to increase efficiency in trade and enhance safety for consumers by “preventing risks and protecting the lives of humans and animals”, as stated in the official document.

Licences obtained after registering with the Ministry will be valid for five years.

Sen Sovann, director general of the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, told Khmer Times that the new law will help regulate the industry and encourage fair competition.

“Our duty is to ensure everyone complies with local and international standards,” he said.

“Our objective with this Prakas is to force all companies to register. If they don’t, they will face penalties,” Mr Sovann said, arguing that counterfeit drugs used in animal husbandry are decreasing the quality of meat available in Cambodia, and posing a risk to people’s health.

“We will take action if we find companies are not following the law,” he added.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50486903/animal-husbandry-regulation-toughens/