September 14, 2011

China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) urged local authorities to prevent any major livestock epidemics in the coming months to secure animal production.

Local agricultural departments should ensure the completion of a six-week vaccination campaign starting September 15, vice minister of Agriculture Gao Hongbin said Tuesday (Sep 13).

Local authorities should also strengthen epidemic monitoring in local livestock markets, slaughterhouses, major breeding areas and the habitat for migratory birds, Gao said.

No cases concerning major animal diseases, including bird flu and Asia I strain of foot-and-mouth disease, were found in the country over the past two years, according to Gao.

He also called on local authorities in border areas to step up efforts to prevent animal epidemics from being imported into the country.