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Strengthening regulation of farming crucial to food safety: lawmakers

Xinhua, July 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Legislators on Friday called for better regulation of cultivation and breeding to ensure that food safety begins at the source.

While deliberating an inspection report on the implementation of the Food Safety Law, lawmaker Huang Huahua suggested that farmers should be given better guidance on pesticides, veterinary drugs, chemical fertilizers and feed additives.

"In China, a rather low proportion of farmers know how to use pesticides appropriately. Unfettered and excessive use of pesticides has contaminated ground water and soil," said lawmaker Li Xiaohong.

Li stressed making legislative efforts to strictly regulate the use of pesticides, veterinary drugs and other related substances.

The report, which was submitted Thursday to an ongoing bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China's food safety situation remains "severe," and risks exist in this initial link of farming.

Lawmaker Xu Weigang suggested developing and promoting improved varieties of crops, livestock and aquatic products, which can resist diseases, thus reducing the use of chemicals. Endi