September 20, 2011

China will cut the quarantine fees on animals and animal products in an effort to lower the distribution costs of farm products, according to a circular jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The move also aimed to lighten the burden of enterprise, said the NDRC on Monday (Sep 19).

The circular urged local authorities to work out specific quarantine charge standards on animals and animal products, with the proviso that the local charging standards should be no higher than the upper limits of the national ones.

According to the circular, quarantine charges on livestock such as hogs, cattle, sheep, chickens and ducks are expected to be reduced by more than 30%.

Moreover, quarantine fees on batch butchering animals and animal products will be slashed as part of the country's efforts to encourage the scale development of animal husbandry.