The "Measures for the Administration of Veterinary Biological Products" will come into effect on May 1, 2007 --- April 19, 2007

　　Reporters learned from the Ministry of Agriculture's press office that the "Management Measures for the Operation of Veterinary Biological Products" will come into effect on May 1, 2007. The measures clearly stipulate that biological products for national compulsory immunization will be produced, purchased, and distributed by the government, while a new operational management model will be implemented for biological products not used for national compulsory immunization. At the same time, the measures also clearly define the classification management and supervisory responsibilities of veterinary biological products.

　　The quality of veterinary biological products is related to the prevention and control of animal diseases, the sustained, stable, and healthy development of animal husbandry, food hygiene safety, public health safety, and biological safety. In order to implement the State Council's newly revised "Regulations on Veterinary Drug Management," the Ministry of Agriculture, after repeated research, demonstration, and extensive solicitation of opinions, formulated and issued the new "Management Measures for the Operation of Veterinary Biological Products." The issuance and implementation of these measures will play a very important role in thoroughly implementing the "Regulations on Veterinary Drug Management," strengthening the management of veterinary biological products, ensuring the quality of veterinary biological products, and ensuring the smooth progress of animal disease prevention and control work.

　　The "Management Measures for the Operation of Veterinary Biological Products" summarizes the current practical experience in veterinary drug management and draws on successful practices in the operation and management of veterinary biological products abroad. To strengthen the management of veterinary biological products, a series of new regulations and management measures have been introduced. First, a classification management system for veterinary biological products is implemented. Based on the requirements of differentiated treatment and strict management, the measures stipulate that veterinary biological products are divided into those for national compulsory immunization and those not required for the national compulsory immunization plan, setting different regulatory conditions and focusing on strengthening the supervision of biological products for national compulsory immunization. Second, biological products for national compulsory immunization are produced, purchased, and distributed by the government. The measures stipulate that the list of biological products for national compulsory immunization will be determined and announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, and production will be designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, with unified government procurement and distribution organized by provincial veterinary administrative departments. At the same time, it requires distribution agencies to establish management systems for storage and transportation, and to establish true and complete distribution records. Third, a new operational management model is implemented for biological products not used for national compulsory immunization. The original "Management Measures for Veterinary Biological Products" stipulated that animal disease prevention and control institutions were the main operators of veterinary biological products. The newly issued "Management Measures for the Operation of Veterinary Biological Products" stipulates that manufacturers can directly sell non-national compulsory immunization biological products to users or entrust distributors to sell them. At the same time, the measures strictly stipulate the operating conditions for distributors. Distributors must legally obtain a "Veterinary Drug Business License," can only operate the products they represent, cannot operate products that have not been entrusted; and can only sell agency products to users, not to other veterinary drug businesses. Fourth, the supervisory responsibilities for veterinary biological products are further clarified. The measures stipulate that county-level and above local people's government veterinary administrative departments should strengthen the supervision and inspection of the production, operation, and use of veterinary biological products in accordance with the law. If any violations of the "Regulations on Veterinary Drug Management" and the "Management Measures for the Operation of Veterinary Biological Products" are found, they should be dealt with or reported to the higher-level veterinary administrative department according to the law.