Two ministries issue notice: Agricultural input vehicles transporting feed, livestock, and poultry must not be arbitrarily stopped under the pretext of epidemic prevention!
Release date:
2021-01-17
During the 2020 Spring Festival, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, some rural areas imposed village lockdowns and road closures. In certain regions, the movement of feed and live poultry transport vehicles was severely restricted, forcing some businesses to sadly bury unsold poultry alive—resulting in substantial losses. Following this, the national government issued multiple directives to ensure the smooth transportation of agricultural inputs. More recently, as outbreaks have resurged in several provinces, many localities have once again shifted into "wartime" mode. On January 15, 2021, the Central Rural Work Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs jointly released a "Notice," emphasizing the need to strengthen epidemic prevention and control efforts in rural areas while maintaining robust agricultural production and ensuring adequate supplies of farm products. The Notice explicitly prohibits unauthorized activities without approval from county-level or higher local governments.
202 On January 14, the Central Rural Work Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs jointly issued the "Notice on Effectively Managing COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Current Rural Areas" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"). The Notice emphasizes that agricultural offices and departments at all levels should, in line with the deployment requirements of the State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism for COVID-19, adopt risk-based, differentiated strategies, implement scientific防控 measures, and carry out targeted interventions—all under the leadership of local Party committees and governments and with a strong sense of political responsibility.
The "Notice" highlights that recently, COVID-19 outbreaks have emerged in rural areas or suburban regions of provinces like Hebei and Heilongjiang. Rural areas face poor medical conditions, limited防疫 capabilities, and insufficient awareness about preventive measures. As the Spring Festival approaches, increased population mobility and more frequent gatherings in these regions are further straining the already challenging epidemic control situation, exposing critical gaps in rural防控 efforts. The Notice emphasizes the need to fully leverage the role of grassroots rural organizations, fostering collaborative prevention and control initiatives while ensuring rigorous implementation of防疫 responsibilities and measures. It calls for strengthened public education campaigns to encourage farmers to proactively engage in疫情防控 practices, boosting their awareness of self-protection and reinforcing the importance of promptly reporting fever symptoms and seeking medical care at the earliest sign. Additionally, the notice urges greater emphasis on promoting civilized behaviors—such as frequent handwashing, minimizing unnecessary household visits, and avoiding large gatherings—while advocating for postponing celebrations, simplifying funeral rites, and discouraging banquets altogether.Moreover, the document emphasizes a well-organized approach to guiding migrant workers back to their hometowns, aiming to minimize cross-regional movement while encouraging employers to support workers in celebrating holidays locally, tailored to both production needs and individual preferences. Local grassroots Party organizations are tasked with providing reassurance and addressing any concerns among migrant workers who decide to stay put during the holiday season. For those workers who genuinely wish to return home for the festivities, the notice recommends arranging "point-to-point" and "one-stop" transportation services before and after the holiday period. Finally, it advocates for supporting migrant workers in finding employment or starting businesses either near their current workplaces or in their hometowns, helping them build stable livelihoods despite the ongoing challenges they may face. Multiple provinces Occur Due to the pandemic, many places are returning to a "wartime" state. 2021 January 15, Central Agricultural Office, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs The "Notice" has been issued, calling for effective measures to strengthen COVID-19 prevention and control in rural areas, while ensuring robust agricultural production and stable supplies of agricultural products. 。 " "Notice" Indicates It is strictly prohibited to set up unauthorized checkpoints or arbitrarily block roads and disrupt traffic without approval from the local people's government at the county level or above. Additionally, agricultural input transport vehicles must not be randomly stopped under the pretext of epidemic prevention measures.
Additionally, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV Commentary "Widespread Misuse of 'War-Time State'" ， Paralyzing the public only backfires!
Jointly from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, CCTV
Source: CCTV News
Abuse of wartime conditions Can easily trigger the "boy who cried wolf" effect
The National Defense Law clearly stipulates: "The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, in accordance with the Constitution, shall decide on the declaration of a state of war, authorize a nationwide or local mobilization, and exercise other defense-related powers as prescribed by the Constitution." In other words, a state of war cannot be declared without following the legally mandated procedures—and before going through these procedures, a thorough assessment and precise judgment are clearly required.
It should be noted that, The "wartime-like state" implemented in response to public health emergencies is a concept distinct from the legally defined "state of war." However, the public doesn’t always clearly distinguish between the two, often resorting to literal interpretations instead. Therefore, it’s unwise to casually declare a state of war whenever the situation arises.
Once "wartime status" is misused, it not only misleads the public but also easily fuels a tense atmosphere—potentially triggering the infamous "boy who cried wolf" effect. One netizen bluntly pointed out: "If we keep shouting about entering 'wartime mode,' people may gradually lose their sense of urgency around 'war.' And when the real 'wolf' arrives, they might find themselves dangerously unprepared—having already let their wartime vigilance slip." This is a sobering observation that deserves serious attention.
Timely course correction Replace the state of war with a state of emergency.
Therefore, the question arises: Why do some regions so readily declare a "wartime state"? On the surface, it seems tied to a failure to fully grasp the true definition and implications of such a state. But in reality, it reflects a lack of comprehensive planning and an inability to respond calmly and effectively. In the face of this complex pandemic situation, we cannot afford to simply rely on empty slogans or harsh rhetoric. After all, if our response is well-coordinated and preventive measures prove effective, there would be no need for panic or chaos.
As per central directives, all regions must treat epidemic prevention and control as the top priority. This means thoroughly studying and mastering all relevant policies, regulations, and deployment requirements, while keeping the command system fully operational around the clock and implementing a "zero-report" mechanism. While we’re not declaring a wartime state, that doesn’t mean we can afford to become complacent. From swiftly activating the command structure to rapidly organizing nucleic acid testing—whether it’s precisely identifying and isolating key individuals or bolstering reserves of personnel, supplies, and advanced technologies—every step must be seamlessly coordinated. Only then can we achieve maximum efficiency with minimal effort.
Notably, some regions have already stopped referring to a "wartime state" and are now using the term "emergency state" instead. This is a timely correction—reflecting the need to adapt swiftly to evolving circumstances, ensuring that measures are both more targeted and highly effective. By consistently combining routine, precise prevention strategies with localized emergency responses, while firmly reinforcing the "four-party responsibilities," we can ultimately curb the resurgence of the epidemic and look forward to a season of blooming spring and renewed hope.
Source: Compiled from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, CCTV News
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