National Assembly issues Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 02/NA, dated 11th November 2016 to replace Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters No. 03/NA, dated 25 July 2008. The amended law consists of 13 parts and 120 articles, in which there are changes in 71 articles and additional 46 articles that define principles, rules and measures on livestock, maintaining animal’s health, protecting animal species and animal resource, animal’ benefits and safety on food. It aims to increase quantity, enhance quality of animal products and manufacturing of goods, protect environment, integrate in regional and international markets, contributing in the of food safety and the productions in green, clean and sustainable method.

For the procedure to request for import, export, and transit license of animal products, business operators shall submit their request to Management Authority for Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters at least 15 days prior to the import, export, or transit by using the application form. After that the authority will proceed on technical inspection and then issue the license within 05 working days. Before actual import, export or transit, the business operator shall declare relevant documents and date of actual import/export/transit to the veterinary authority at the border checkpoint 01 day in advance.

The transportation of products shall be made on specified routes and border checkpoints. It is not permitted to transfer these goods on the way or at any point without approval from Management Authority for Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters. In case of suspecting or verifying that animal product is at risk, the product will be quarantined and imposed sanitary measures which the business operator will bear the cost.

The law become effective on the date of signing by President on the Presidential Decree (19th December 2016) and after being published on Lao Official Gazette 15 days (27th March 2017) which is on 12th April 2017.

Measures / Standards
# Name Type Agency Description Law Valid To Apply To
1 Requirement to obtain import permit - Animal Permit Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment importers of live animals must conform with specific conditions in annex No. 2 of the decision No. 0795/MAF and submit for the import permit with documents as specified in annex No. 3 to the department of livestock and fisheries to issue the permit according to documents in annex 4
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
2 Import permit for aquatic animals Permit Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Importers of aquatic animals must conform with specific requirements in annex 1 of this decision no. 4211/MAF and submit the import request application as specified in annex 3 to the department of livestock and fisheries to issue the import permit according to the form in annex 4
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
3 Inspection requirement for imported animals Inspection Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment the import of live animals must be inspected by the vet checkpoint borders
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
4 Inspection requirement for the import of aquatic animals Inspection Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment The import of aquatic animals must be inspected by the veterinarians at the border checkpoints
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
5 Requirement to obtain import permit - animal products Permit Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment importers of animal products (semen, fertile, baby animals, meat, and meat products) must conform with specified conditions in annex No. 2 of the decision No. 0795/MAF and submit for the import permit with documents as specified in annex No. 3 to the department of livestock and fisheries to issue the permit according to documents in annex 4
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
6 Requirement for Import license for aquatic animal products Permit Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment the importer of aquatic animal products must be conform to specific requirements as specified in annex 1 of the decision no. 4211/MAF and submit the import request application as specified in annex 3 to the department of livestock and fisheries according to form set in annex 4
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
7 Inspection Requirement for Animal Products Inspection Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment The Import of Animal Products must be inspected by the vet at the checkpoint borders
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
8 Import Inspection Requirement - Aquatic Animal Products Inspection Requirement Ministry of Agriculture and Environment the import of aquatic animal products must be inspected by the veterinarians at the border checkpoints
  1. Law on Livestock Production and Veterinary Matters (Amended) No. 08/NA dated 11 November 2016
  2. Decision on the Import, Export, and Transit of Animal and Animal Products No. 0795/MAF, dated 18 April 2019
  3. Decision on Import, Export and Transit of Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Products No. 4211/MAF, dated 29 November 2019.
  4. Law on Fisheries (Amended) No. 41/NA, date 17 July, 2023
  5. Decree on the movement, import, export, and transit of animals, aquatic animals, animal and aquatic products, No. 644/GOL, date 25 November 2024.
 9999-12-31 ALL
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