China is stepping up efforts to standardize agricultural production
by improving the quality of farm produce and authenticity of
production materials, said a source of the
Ministry of
Agriculture (MOA) who is in Jinan to attend a seminar on
agricultural industrialization.
Quality control authorities are working on certain criteria for
farm produce quality, package, storage, transportation, labels and
hygienic standards, such as the maximum amount of pesticide allowed
on agricultural products, he said.
According to the MOA official, many provinces and municipalities
are setting up inspection and quarantine centers. "Equipped with
first-class facilities and well-trained professionals, these
watchdogs will help ensure quality and security of agricultural
products throughout their life cycle and until they are served on
tables," the official said.
Meanwhile, China has renewed its efforts to regulate the market by
cracking down on counterfeit materials and products.
"As a second step, we will inspect closely the production
materials, including the seeds, seedlings, fertilizers and
pesticide," said the MOA official.
As
another move to upgrade product quality, China has stepped up with
agricultural industrialization by encouraging rural households to
participate in mass production activities led by leading
enterprises.
MOA statistics show that some 60 million rural families across the
country are involved in mass production of farm produce, organized
by some 66,700 enterprise groups and agricultural promotion
bodies.
(Pepole’s
Daily November 3, 2001)