October 28, 2010

China tightens control on agricultural land

The Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture have called for stricter management over the use of land for agricultural purposes.

In a joint notice, the two have defined the concept of "agricultural facility land" in reference to land directly used for livestock shelters, the industrialised planting of crops, aquatic breading, or grain drying outside farmhouses.

According to the notice, relevant authorities should strictly control the use of land, reduce the occupation of and damage to farmland, and set up standards for agricultural facility land.

The designation of agricultural facility land should make full use of unused, low-yielding or idle land such as barren hills and tidal-flat areas.

Land users are forbidden to change the use of land, or expand the land use area without authorisation.