Environmental protection in agricultural production

In agricultural production, many farmers used large amounts of chemicals, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, plant protection substances, veterinary drugs, and improperly handle agricultural waste….These practices cause negative impacts on the environment, soil, water sources, crops, productivity, and the quality of crops.

A model of clean durian cultivation by a farmer in Xuan Lap ward, Dong Nai province. Photo: D. Phu

Moving toward green agriculture – a production model aimed at environmental protection, efficient use of resources, and creating clean, safe products, farmers across Dong Nai province have applied and implemented various advanced cultivation models and technical processes such as GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and VietGAP (Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices). These are sets of good agricultural practice standards issued by organizations, nations, or groups of nations to guide producers in ensuring quality, food safety, product traceability, environmental protection, and the health and social welfare of producers.

Awareness of environmental protection

Farmer Nguyen Van Lanh (Xuan Loc commune, Dong Nai province) said: Thanks to applying the VietGAP model in melon and vegetable cultivation, the products from his farm have always earned a reputation for quality. In addition, by using biological fertilizers and plant protection products and following VietGAP standards, he avoids direct contact with toxic chemical pesticides, which helped protect his health.

“Currently, many farmers still have not applied VietGAP standards. Therefore, when their orchards are infected by diseases, they get ready to spray self-mixed, unlabeled pesticides on crops, affecting neighboring farms and the living environment” – Lanh shared.

To encourage farmers to protect soil and water resources, in addition to discouraging the use of toxic, self-mixed, or unlabeled pesticides, many localities have set up collection points and waste containers along roadsides and in fields to prevent farmers from indiscriminately discarding pesticide containers, which harm the environment, soil, and water sources.

Farmer Le Van Binh (Loc Quang commune, Dong Nai province) shared: Everyone knows green agriculture is an inevitable trend of modern agricultural production, oriented toward environmental protection, food safety, and farmers’ health. However, not all farmers are well aware of this. Some, for the sake of profit and due to lack of awareness, still used banned chemical pesticides, which severely affected the environment, soil, and water sources.

“I know that local authorities and the agricultural sector have always encouraged farmers to follow green, clean, and safe agricultural models and have provided support such as training and dissemination of VietGAP processes in farming and livestock. However, what legal sanctions are imposed on acts that cause environmental pollution of soil and water in agricultural production?”  Binh asked.

Article 41 of Decree 45 stipulates: fines ranging from VND 30 million to 50 million for failing to assess and control chemicals, pesticides, and veterinary drugs as prescribed; fines ranging from VND 50 million to 70 million for using expired or unapproved pesticides, veterinary drugs, or chemicals that cause environmental pollution; and fines varying from VND 50 million to 100 million for importing chemicals, chemical-containing materials that fail to meet environmental protection requirements.

Penalties already in place for violations

The issue raised by Binh is also a concern shared by many farmers regarding the the lack of awareness and responsibility for environmental protection in agricultural production of some other farmers.

Lawyer Chu Van Hien (Dong Nai Provincial Lawyers’ Association) explained: Article 61 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection stipulates that individuals using chemicals, pesticides, veterinary drugs, and fertilizers in agricultural production must comply with environmental regulations and other relevant laws. Agricultural by-products must be collected to produce commercial products, used as raw materials, fuel, and fertilizer production, energy production must be treated according to regulations. Open-air burning of crop residues that cause environmental pollution is prohibited. The State also has policies encouraging innovation in agricultural models and methods toward sustainability, climate change adaptation, water conservation, reduced use of inorganic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and environmental treatment products in agricultural production, and promoting environmentally friendly farming models.

Lawyer Chu Van Hien clarified: Under Article 41 of  State Decree 45/2022/ND-CP dated July 7, 2022, on administrative penalties in the field of environmental protection (commonly referred to as Decree 45), fines ranging from VND 2.5 – 3 million will be imposed on acts such as burning of crop residues in open air, near residential areas, airports, or major traffic routes; and from VND 10 – 15 million for failing to register, inventory, report, and manage information on chemicals, pesticides, and veterinary drugs as prescribed; or improperly using these substances and causing environmental pollution.

By: Doan Phu