December 30, 2005

China passes legislation for quality livestock breeding
 

China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) has passed a legislation governing quality of livestock breeding and their products.

The regulations cover livestock raising and production, breeding selection, transportation and product quality protection.

Government departments would be required to guide stakeholders in the animal husbandry industry on improving livestock breeding conditions and transportation.

Use of feed, feed additives and medicines must comply with legal and technical requirements. Rubbish and restaurant leftovers not boiled at high temperatures are also prohibited from animal feed.

NPC said the new law would focus more on improving product quality rather than expanding production capacity, and thus help modernise China's livestock industry.

Authorities above the county level are also required to take action towards improving construction of agricultural facilities, in light of the many backyard farmers that raise livestock.

China's livestock industry accounted for about one-third of total domestic agricultural output value in 2004.