December 23, 2019

China urges boost in swine production through new policies

State media Xinhua reported that Chinese officials were called to fast track swine production recovery after the nation's swine herds were decimated from the African swine fever (ASF), reported Reuters.

The officials called for favourable policies to be implemented to boost swine production at an agricultural conference in Beijing attended by Xi Jinping, China President.

Dwindling pork supplies in the country and increased demand for meat has pushed pork prices to record levels in China, the world's biggest producer and consumer of pork.

China introduced new policies in September such as construction subsidies for large swine farms and reducing land costs for swine farms in its efforts to boost swine production.

A Chinese Agriculture Ministry official said the country is also encouraging small swine farmers to restart their swine farms.

Yang Zhenhai, Director of Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs forecasts swine production to resume to its usual numbers by 2020.

-      Reuters