WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Jul 06, 2023 / 22:41

Vietnam gives serious thought to dog meat consumption issue

Priority is given to refining legislation and its subsequent enforcement to ensure a safe trade in dog and cat meat and to protect public health.

The trade in pet meat, which includes that of dogs and cats, is an issue of great concern to the public, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.

 MOFA Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. 

During the press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today [July 6], a reporter brought up the proposal of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to stop the trade and consumption of dog and cat meat in Hanoi on a trial basis in order to create a positive impression among foreign tourists.

In response, Hang said the country has already introduced various legal documents on the issue and will continue to study and refine the legal framework.

"The goal is to enforce a legal system that ensures animal welfare and protects public health," Hang said.

On July 4, a seminar titled "Trade and consumption of domestic animals (dogs and cats): Policies, Challenges and Opportunities," Ta Van Tuong, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stressed that "the practice of slaughtering and consuming dog and cat meat creates negative feelings among tourists, especially international visitors, and foreigners living in Hanoi."
He added that Hanoi is not only a prominent political, economic, cultural and scientific center, but also a "city of peace" that attracts millions of tourists.
To address this issue, Tuong suggested implementing measures such as preventing and controlling rabies, establishing rabies-free zones, and regulating the slaughter, trade, and use of dog and cat meat in the city.
The seminar was organized by the National Assembly, marketing and communications firm Intelligentmedia, and Soi Dog Foundation International.