The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Announces the Issuance of

Notice on the "14th Five-Year" National Livestock and Veterinary Industry Development Plan

Nongyu Fa [2021] No. 37

 

To the Departments (Bureaus, Commissions) of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry), and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine in all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and cities separately listed in plans; as well as to the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps:

To promote high-quality development in the livestock and veterinary industries, our ministry has formulated the "14th Five-Year National Plan for the Development of the Livestock and Veterinary Sectors." This document is now being distributed to you. Please align it with local conditions and ensure its careful implementation.

 

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

December 14, 2021

 

"The 14th Five-Year National Plan for the Development of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Industry"

December 2021

 

Table of Contents

I. Development Trends

(1) Key Achievements

(II) Major Challenges

(III) Development Opportunities

II. Overall Approach

(1) Guiding Principles

(II) Fundamental Principles

(III) Development Goals

3. Key Industries

(1) Two Trillion-Dollar Industries

(II) Four Trillion-Dollar Industries

IV. Key Tasks

(1) Enhancing the Intensive Level of Livestock and Poultry Farming

(II) Strengthen Animal Disease Prevention and Control

(III) Ensuring the Efficient and Safe Supply of Livestock Inputs

(IV) Accelerate Independent Innovation in the Livestock and Poultry Seed Industry

(5) Enhance the Overall Level of the Livestock Product Processing Industry

(6) Building a Modern Market Distribution System for Livestock Products

(7) Promote the resourceful utilization of livestock and poultry farming waste

(8) Strengthen Veterinary System Service Capabilities

(9) Enhance the industry's information management capabilities

V. Major Policies

(1) Implement Land Use Policies

(II) Strengthen Fiscal Support

(III) Innovative Financial Support

6. Supporting Measures

(1) Strengthen Organizational Leadership

(II) Strengthen Legal Safeguards

(III) Strengthen Scientific and Technological Innovation

(4) Strengthen Market Regulation

(5) Strengthen Association Services

(6) Strengthen International Cooperation

 

Livestock farming is a vital industry that underpins national economic stability and people's livelihoods; it serves as a cornerstone of the agricultural and rural economy, a strategic sector ensuring food security and improving residents' quality of life, and a flagship industry symbolizing the modernization of agriculture. The "14th Five-Year Plan" period marks the beginning of a new journey toward fully building a socialist modern country and advancing toward the second centenary goal. It is also the critical five-year phase for comprehensively promoting rural revitalization and accelerating agricultural and rural modernization—making it a pivotal time for transforming and upgrading the livestock sector, enhancing its quality, efficiency, and competitiveness. To implement the spirit of the "Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Promoting High-Quality Development of Animal Husbandry" (Guobanfa [2020] No. 31) and to speed up the establishment of a new paradigm for high-quality livestock development, while driving the livestock industry to take the lead in achieving agricultural modernization, this plan has been formulated based on the "14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China and the Long-Range Objectives Through 2035," as well as the "14th Five-Year Plan for Promoting Agricultural and Rural Modernization."

I. Development Trends

(1) Key Achievements

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the livestock industry successfully overcame challenging factors such as tightening resource constraints, the introduction of the African swine fever epidemic, volatile production fluctuations, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, production methods accelerated their transformation, green development was comprehensively promoted, and significant progress was made in modernization. Consequently, the industry’s overall production capacity, market competitiveness, and sustainability have steadily strengthened. First, the capacity to supply livestock products has been steadily improving. In 2020, China's total production of meat, poultry and eggs, and dairy products reached 77.48 million tons, 34.68 million tons, and 35.30 million tons, respectively. Notably, China continued to lead the world in both meat and poultry/egg production, while its dairy output ranked among the highest globally. Meanwhile, feed production totaled 253 million tons, maintaining its position as the world's largest for the tenth consecutive year. Pig production has rebounded rapidly, with beef, mutton, and poultry/egg outputs increasing by 8.2%, 10.6%, and 12.2%, respectively, compared to 2015 levels. At the same time, the dairy market has remained well-supplied and diverse, ensuring a steady flow of essential agricultural products and safeguarding national food security. Second, industrial quality has significantly improved. In 2020, the national rate of large-scale livestock and poultry farming reached 67.5%, an increase of 13.6 percentage points compared to 2015. Meanwhile, the mechanization rate in animal husbandry climbed to 35.8%, up by 7.2 percentage points from 2015. The structure of farming entities has undergone profound changes: small, scattered farms (households) are rapidly phasing out, while large-scale operations are booming—a trend characterized by leading enterprises taking the lead, group-based development, and specialized division of labor. As a result, both the organizational sophistication and industry concentration have significantly improved. At the same time, China’s livestock and poultry breeding sector continues to strengthen its capacity for independent innovation, with the self-sufficiency rate of core breeding stock now exceeding 75%, marking a 15-percentage-point improvement over 2015 levels. Meanwhile, efforts to revitalize the hog slaughtering industry have gained momentum, while dairy processing equipment and production management systems have largely aligned with global advanced standards. Additionally, robust cold-chain networks for transporting livestock and distributing animal products have begun to take shape, further optimizing the processing and distribution system. Consequently, key productivity metrics—such as labor productivity, contributions from technological advancements, and resource utilization efficiency—in the livestock industry have all seen notable improvements. Third is livestock product quality and safety. Maintain a higher level Horizontal. The initiative to strengthen livestock quality continues to advance steadily, with comprehensive measures such as source-based management, process control, and integrated production-management approaches now fully implemented. As a result, the safety and quality of livestock products have maintained a stable, positive trend. In 2020, the pass rates for random inspections of feed, veterinary drugs, and other inputs reached 98.1%, while those for livestock and poultry products hit 98.8%—both remaining at consistently high levels for multiple years. Additionally, nationwide tests have shown zero detection of banned substances in raw milk for 12 consecutive years, and infant formula samples achieved a compliance rate exceeding 99.8%, placing China among the leaders in the domestic food industry. Meanwhile, large-scale dairy farms have seen key milk-quality indicators—such as milk protein and milk fat—reach or surpass the standards set by developed countries. Fourth, significant progress has been made in green development. The layout of livestock production is accelerating its optimization and adjustment, with livestock and poultry farming steadily shifting toward regions with greater environmental capacity. This has effectively alleviated the issue of excessively high stocking densities in southern water-network areas, helping to foster a green development model that harmonizes animal husbandry with natural resources and the environment. Significant progress has also been made in the resourceful utilization of livestock and poultry waste: by 2020, the national comprehensive utilization rate of livestock and poultry manure reached 76%, successfully meeting the targets set for the 13th Five-Year Plan. Meanwhile, initiatives to phase out medicinal feed additives and reduce the use of veterinary antimicrobials have yielded remarkable results—antimicrobial usage in livestock and poultry farming dropped by 21.4% in 2020 compared to 2017. Fifth, major animal epidemics have been effectively controlled. Epidemic prevention and control is shifting from an immunity-focused approach to a comprehensive strategy, with systems for mandatory immunization, surveillance and early warning, emergency response, and disease eradication continuously being strengthened. Meanwhile, the national emergency response plan for major animal outbreaks has been steadily refined, and initiatives aimed at enhancing wildlife and livestock protection are being implemented more deeply than ever before. As a result, the country’s overall capacity for integrated animal disease control has significantly improved, enabling effective management of major outbreaks such as African swine fever and highly pathogenic avian influenza. Consequently, the national animal disease situation remains generally stable. To further bolster control efforts, regulations on cross-provincial movement of livestock and poultry have been tightened. This includes the establishment of 266 new designated animal transport corridors spanning provincial borders, along with the implementation of online registration for 125,000 vehicles transporting live pigs. Meanwhile, animal quarantine and inspection oversight capabilities continue to improve. Internationally, China’s influence in veterinary affairs has grown markedly, evidenced by its successful application to host six World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Reference Laboratories—specializing in diseases like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Classical Swine Fever. Additionally, Chinese representatives have been elected to key leadership roles, including OIE Asia-Pacific Regional President, while two of China’s leading experts have been appointed as members of OIE specialized committees. These achievements have laid a solid foundation for high-quality development of China’s livestock and veterinary sectors during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

(II) Major Challenges

Today's world is undergoing a transformation of a magnitude unseen in a century. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the internal and external environment for livestock development has become even more complex. Relying on domestic resources to boost production and expand capacity is growing increasingly challenging, while depending on imports to balance supply and demand domestically faces heightened uncertainty. As a result, building a new development pattern characterized by dual circulation—both domestic and international—presents numerous significant challenges. First, the task of ensuring stable production and supply has become even more challenging. In the coming period, consumption of livestock products will continue to grow, but the supply-demand imbalance for feed grains like corn remains particularly acute, while imports of soybeans and alfalfa—critical inputs—remain heavily reliant on foreign sources. Moreover, major outbreaks such as COVID-19 and African swine fever have intensified challenges in maintaining a stable supply of key livestock products like pork, beef, and mutton at already high levels. Second, the issue of uneven development has become more pronounced. Some regions lack the enthusiasm to develop animal husbandry, and the "vegetable basket" mayor responsibility system has not been fully implemented. Additionally, the processing and distribution systems remain underdeveloped, and the mechanisms linking producers, processors, and marketers are still weak. At the grassroots level, animal disease prevention teams have significantly weakened, while in several major livestock counties, disease control capabilities remain disproportionately low compared to the scale of livestock raised, leaving production safety vulnerable. Meanwhile, the development of grazing livestock has lagged behind, leading to steadily rising prices for beef and mutton, and a persistent shortage of diversified supply options for livestock products. Third, resource and environmental constraints are becoming increasingly stringent. The challenges of constructing livestock facilities and securing land for forage cultivation are particularly acute, severely limiting the ability to scale up and intensify livestock production. In some regions, ecological carrying capacity has already reached its limit, exacerbating the growing tension between environmental conservation and economic development. Additionally, there is a clear disconnect between crop and livestock producers, leading to inefficient nutrient cycling. As a result, stable and well-established integrated farming systems have yet to take root, while the rate of manure-to-field application remains low. Fourth is industrial development. The risks are becoming more pronounced. 。 The biosecurity levels among agricultural and livestock production entities vary significantly, while neighboring countries and regions continue to experience frequent outbreaks of animal diseases. This creates a persistent risk of both domestic disease spread and the introduction of foreign pathogens. Meanwhile, the "pig cycle" remains unresolved, leading to volatile fluctuations in pork prices and heightened market risks. At the same time, rising protectionist trade policies have emerged, further complicating matters as self-sufficiency rates for core breeding stock of certain livestock and poultry varieties remain low, increasing the vulnerability of being "choked" by external dependencies. Fifth, enhancing industry competitiveness has become an even more urgent necessity. China's livestock industry still lags significantly behind developed countries in terms of labor productivity, the contribution of technological advancements, and resource utilization rates. Meanwhile, domestic production costs remain relatively high overall, weakening the sector's competitiveness. As a result, imports of livestock products have risen steadily year after year, increasingly squeezing the room for domestic production.

(III) Development Opportunities

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s commitment to prioritizing agriculture and strengthening rural development has further intensified, presenting a rare historical opportunity to advance the modernization of the livestock industry. First, market demand is expanding and upgrading. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China will accelerate the establishment of a new development pattern characterized by a dominant domestic economic loop, with domestic and international loops reinforcing each other. Meanwhile, the consumption patterns of urban and rural residents are entering a phase of rapid upgrading, leading to increased intake of animal proteins such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. As a result, demand for dairy products, as well as beef and mutton, is growing rapidly, while the market for green, high-quality livestock products continues to expand. Second, endogenous momentum continues to be unleashed. The structural framework of livestock production continues to optimize, with a growing trend toward large-scale, intensive, and smart farming practices accelerating the transition from traditional to modern production drivers. As production increasingly shifts toward larger-scale operators, the concentration of key resources—such as capital, technology, and talent—will become even more pronounced, unlocking greater potential for industry growth, quality enhancement, and efficiency gains. Third, the support system has become more comprehensive. The Central Party and the State Council place great importance on the development of animal husbandry. The "Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Promoting High-Quality Development of Animal Husbandry" outlines a series of policy measures, providing clear guidance for the growth of the livestock and veterinary sectors during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with relevant departments, has successively formulated and implemented multiple policies and initiatives, achieving significant breakthroughs in areas such as investment, finance, land use, and environmental protection. As a result, the incentive mechanisms and policy support systems for animal husbandry continue to evolve and improve.

II. Overall Approach

(1) Guiding Principles

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will deeply implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Plenary Sessions of the 19th Central Committee. We will faithfully carry out the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, fully, accurately, and comprehensively embrace the new development philosophy, continue to deepen supply-side structural reforms, and strategically adjust and optimize industrial structures and spatial layouts. This includes accelerating the establishment of a modern livestock farming system, an animal disease prevention and control system, and an integrated processing and distribution network. Our goal is to continuously enhance the supply level of livestock products, ensure food safety and quality, strengthen risk management for animal diseases, and promote green, circular, and sustainable development in the livestock sector. By doing so, we aim to improve overall quality, efficiency, and competitiveness, ultimately achieving high-quality growth characterized by efficient production, safe products, resource conservation, environmental friendliness, and effective market regulation—thus providing robust industrial support for comprehensively advancing rural revitalization and accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

(II) Fundamental Principles

Stick to innovation-driven development. By relying on scientific and technological innovation and advancements, we can break through development bottlenecks, continuously enhance the quality of livestock breeds, improve the mechanization level of farming, and boost resource-use efficiency. This will accelerate the transformation of livestock production methods and drive the modernization of the entire industry—across all sectors and factors.

Stick to market-driven approaches. Fully leverage the decisive role of the market in resource allocation, while enhancing the government's roles in policy guidance and market regulation. Eliminate unreasonable barriers that hinder the development of animal husbandry, boost the sector's vitality, and ensure a reliable supply of livestock products.

Prioritize epidemic prevention above all else. Modern farming systems have largely been established, significantly boosting the development of the livestock and poultry seed industry. The self-sufficiency rate for core breeding stock has reached 78%. Standardized, large-scale farming continues to expand, with the proportion of livestock and poultry raised in scaled operations now exceeding 78%. Meanwhile, a modern processing and distribution system is rapidly taking shape, driving intensive, standardized, automated, and intelligent practices across the entire production and supply chain—from breeding and slaughtering to processing and cold-chain logistics—marking a new milestone in efficiency and quality.

Stick to green leadership. Following the concept of green development, we will promote alignment between resource and environmental carrying capacity, livestock product supply security, and the ability to effectively recycle agricultural waste. By fostering a seamless integration of crop and livestock production into a circular system, we can jointly advance livestock farming and environmental protection, ultimately driving sustainable development.

(III) Development Goals

By 2025, significant progress will have been made in modernizing China's livestock industry, with dairy cattle, swine, and poultry farming taking the lead in achieving basic modernization. The industry’s quality, efficiency, and competitiveness will continue to strengthen, driving steady growth in livestock output. At the same time, the animal disease prevention and control system will become more robust, ensuring a reliable supply of livestock products. Additionally, a modern processing and distribution network will accelerate its development, while sustainable, eco-friendly practices will increasingly demonstrate tangible results.

—— Product Assurance Objectives 。 The industrial structure and regional layout have been further optimized, significantly boosting the livestock sector's overall production capacity and supply security. Pork self-sufficiency remains stable at around 95%, while beef and mutton self-sufficiency stays steady at approximately 85%. Meanwhile, domestic milk production meets over 70% of demand, and poultry meat and eggs continue to achieve near-complete self-sufficiency. At the same time, product structures are continuously refined, with a growing supply of high-quality, specialty, and differentiated products.

—— Industrial Safety Objectives The comprehensive disease prevention and control capabilities for animals have significantly improved, breakthroughs have been made in the development of socialized veterinary services, and regulatory capacity for feed and veterinary drugs continues to strengthen, providing reliable support for safeguarding industry security.

—— Green Development Objective 。 The alignment between production development and resource-environment carrying capacity has improved, with continued progress in the resourceful utilization of livestock and poultry farming waste. As a result, the comprehensive utilization rate of livestock and poultry manure has reached over 80%, paving the way for a new, eco-friendly, circular development model that integrates crop and livestock farming into sustainable agricultural and pastoral cycles.

—— Modernization Development Goals 。 Modern farming systems have been largely established, significantly boosting the development of the livestock and poultry seed industry. The self-sufficiency rate for core breeding stock has reached 78%. Standardized, large-scale farming continues to expand, with the proportion of livestock and poultry raised in规模化 operations now exceeding 78%. Meanwhile, a modern processing and distribution system is rapidly taking shape, driving intensive, standardized, automated, and intelligent practices across the entire production and supply chain—from breeding and slaughtering to processing and cold-chain logistics—marking a new milestone in efficiency and quality.

3. Key Industries

Optimize regional layouts and product structures, with a focus on developing two trillion-dollar industries—swine and poultry—and four hundred-billion-dollar industries—dairy cattle, beef and mutton sheep, specialty livestock, and forage crops. Efforts will be concentrated on building a modern livestock industry system structured around the "2+4" framework.

(1) Two Trillion-Dollar Industries

1. Live pigs

Development goals. Implement the provincial responsibility system for stabilizing pig production and ensuring supply, as well as the "vegetable basket" mayors' accountability system, to maintain a self-sufficiency rate of pork around 95%, stabilize pork production capacity at approximately 55 million tons, and drive the output value of the hog farming industry to over 1.5 trillion yuan. At the same time, prioritize improving development quality, strengthen capacity regulation, mitigate fluctuations in the "pig cycle," and enhance the ability to ensure stable production and supply.

Regional Layout and Development Priorities. Based on factors such as the level of economic and social development, resource and environmental carrying capacity, and market consumer demand, the national pig farming industry is categorized into regions that are net exporters, major consumption areas, and areas where production roughly meets local demand. Extraction Zone ， This includes provinces such as Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Guangxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Anhui, Shandong, and Jiangxi. These regions are steadily expanding existing production capacities, accelerating industrial transformation and upgrading, and enhancing scalability, standardization, and industrialization to ensure stable and increased output. Main sales region ， This includes provinces such as Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, with a focus on guiding large and medium-sized enterprises to establish breeding bases, ensuring a certain level of self-sufficiency. Production and Sales Balance Zone ， This includes provinces such as Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian, Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang (including the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps), focusing on unlocking yield-enhancing potential, promoting moderately scaled operations, developing regionally specialized livestock farming tailored to local conditions, and ensuring basic self-sufficiency.

2. Poultry

Development goals. Poultry meat and egg production have remained stable at 22 million tons and 35 million tons, respectively, ensuring near self-sufficiency, while the poultry farming industry has generated an output value exceeding 1 trillion yuan.

Regional Layout and Development Priorities. Consolidate and enhance production in traditional growth areas, while accelerating development in regions with strong growth potential. Prime Livestock, Egg, and Chicken Farming Zone ， This includes provinces such as Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Anhui, Liaoning, Henan, Jiangsu, Fujian, Sichuan, Hebei, Jilin, Hubei, and Heilongjiang, with a focus on accelerating industrial transformation and upgrading, enhancing scalability, standardization, and industrialization, and ultimately achieving stable and increased production. Potential Livestock and Poultry Farming Areas ， This includes provinces such as Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Jiangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Hainan, Zhejiang, and Shaanxi, with a focus on strengthening the infrastructure of large-scale meat and egg chicken farming bases, enhancing the allocation of industry-specific technical expertise, and steadily advancing industrial development. Specialized Livestock and Poultry Breeding Zone ， This includes provinces such as Tibet, Qinghai, Ningxia, Gansu, and Xinjiang (including the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps), where local breeds of meat and egg-laying chickens are being developed according to regional conditions to boost self-sufficiency in consumption. Waterfowl Farming Advantageous Areas ， This includes provinces such as Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. The focus is on developing the production of meat ducks, egg-laying ducks, geese, and more, while enhancing large-scale, standardized, and intelligent farming practices. Additionally, the initiative aims to promote a full-chain production model, ultimately boosting the economic efficiency of waterfowl farming.

(II) Four Trillion-Dollar Industries

1. Dairy livestock

Development goals. Milk self-sufficiency has reached over 70%, with milk production consistently hovering around 36 million tons. More than 70% of dairy farms now house 100 or more cows, and the quality and safety standards for dairy products continue to improve. As a result, the dairy industry’s output value has climbed to 150 billion yuan, marking a comprehensive revitalization of China’s dairy sector.

Regional Layout and Development Priorities. Northeast and Inner Mongolia Region ， This includes provinces such as Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. The focus is on strengthening the traditional advantages of integrated crop-and-livestock farming, primarily centered around Holstein dairy cows, while also incorporating dual-purpose cattle for both milk and meat production. Additionally, efforts will be made to expand the cultivation of whole-plant silage corn and high-yield, high-quality alfalfa, further boosting livestock farming operations. North China and Central Plains Region ， This includes provinces such as Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, and Henan. The focus is primarily on Holstein dairy cows, with efforts aimed at developing specialized farms and enhancing intensification levels. Additionally, the region will leverage agricultural resources to explore innovative, highly efficient models for feed utilization, while strengthening its competitive edge in the processing industry—and ultimately fostering an integrated agro-industrial system that seamlessly connects breeding, farming, and processing. Western District ， This includes provinces such as Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. The focus is on strengthening production advantages in pastoral areas, expanding the cultivation area of high-quality forage crops, and vigorously promoting indoor and semi-indoor farming systems to enhance feeding management practices. Dairy farming will primarily rely on Holstein cows, while also developing dual-purpose dairy-beef breeds, dairy goats, and yaks. Efforts will be concentrated on scaling up both large-scale farms and family-run ranches, ultimately boosting the commercialization rate of dairy products. Southern Region ， This includes provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan. The focus is on accelerating the upgrading and modernization of livestock farming facilities and equipment, enhancing the efficient utilization of region-specific forage and feed resources, actively promoting specialty dairy animals like water buffalo, and fostering moderately scaled farming operations.

2. Beef, veal, and lamb

Development goals. Implement the Five-Year Action Plan for Beef, Pork, and Sheep Production Development, adhering to the development strategy of stabilizing pastoral areas, expanding agricultural regions, and harnessing southern grasslands and slopes. This initiative will promote integrated farming practices—combining agriculture and animal husbandry—and ensure coordinated use of pasture resources with livestock production. As a result, self-sufficiency in beef and mutton will remain at around 85%, with annual beef and mutton outputs steadily maintained at approximately 6.8 million tons and 5 million tons, respectively. Meanwhile, the output value of the beef, pork, and sheep farming industry is expected to reach 900 billion yuan.

Regional Layout and Development Priorities: Northeast Region ， Including Jilin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and eastern Inner Mongolia, this region leverages its abundant grain resources and plentiful, readily available forage to promote integrated crop-livestock farming, strengthen the selection and improvement of leading livestock breeds, and foster moderately scaled, indoor-farming practices. Zhongyuan District ， Provinces including Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Hubei, and Hunan are actively promoting standardized, large-scale farming, steadily expanding farm sizes while enhancing standardization, intensification, and mechanization levels. Northwest District ， This includes Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ningxia, Gansu, Shaanxi, and western Inner Mongolia—regions that focus on protecting local specialty beef, pork, and mutton breeds, sustainably managing grassland resources, establishing artificial forage bases, developing modern family-run pastures, boosting livestock turnover rates, and ensuring stable production of beef and mutton. Southwest Region ， This includes provinces such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Tibet, aiming to unlock the potential of grassland and pasture resources, boost beef and mutton production, and develop specialized livestock farming tailored to local conditions.

3. Forage

Development goals. Focusing on the needs of grass-fed livestock farming, we will leverage supportive policies such as grain-to-feed programs and the development of high-quality, high-yield alfalfa bases to vigorously promote the production of premium forage crops like whole-plant silage corn, alfalfa, oatgrass, and ryegrass. Additionally, we’ll tailor strategies to locally available resources, tapping into region-specific forage options like hybrid mulberry trees and feed-grade mulberry plants. This effort will accelerate the establishment of a modern forage production, processing, and distribution system. As a result, the self-sufficiency rate for high-quality forages will reach over 80%, with total silage corn reserves exceeding 50 million tons (in dry matter equivalent) and premium alfalfa production surpassing 5 million tons. The overall economic value of the forage industry is projected to hit 200 billion yuan.

Regional Layout and Development Priorities: Northeast Region ， Focus on developing integrated crop-livestock systems and localized utilization models, leveraging cultivated land to grow whole-plant silage corn and alfalfa, while simultaneously using managed grasslands to cultivate Elymus sibiricus. This approach will first meet the region's forage needs, while also supporting commercial forage production. Huanghuaihai Region ， Adhere to an integrated farming and livestock development model, with a focus on optimizing corn utilization by promoting whole-plant silage corn cultivation, moderately expanding alfalfa production, and striving to enhance the region's capacity for self-sufficient, high-quality forage. Northwest District ， Prioritize the integration of crop and livestock farming alongside commercial forage production, actively promoting the conversion of grain crops to feed production by developing whole-plant silage corn. Strengthen the coordination between grassland and livestock systems, and in regions with suitable conditions, moderately expand high-quality alfalfa cultivation. Together, these efforts will help establish comprehensive bases for cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, and distributing premium commercial forage products. Southern Region ， Adhere to the combination of grass and livestock, adopting a specialized development model, with a focus on utilizing fallow winter fields to grow annual forage crops like ryegrass. Actively promote the improvement of grasslands and slopes to enhance grazing-based livestock farming. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Region ， Adhere to the "grass-based livestock management" and "grass-livestock integration" model, accelerate the development of specialty crop cultivation and legume-grass mixed-sowing practices, promote household access to feed resources and scientifically balanced forage combinations, and strive to ensure a stable supply of high-quality forage across the region.

4. Specialty Livestock and Poultry

Development goals. Focus on improving the genetic resource conservation system for livestock breeds, expanding the scale of high-quality populations, and intensifying efforts to commercially develop unique livestock varieties as well as industrialize local breed resources. This will help extend the industry chain, strengthen brand-building initiatives, and establish specialized, high-value production areas. Additionally, leverage the critical role of specialty livestock farming in effectively linking poverty alleviation achievements with rural revitalization efforts. By the end of this initiative, the total output value of the specialty livestock sector is expected to reach 150 billion yuan.

Regional Layout and Development Priorities. Adhere to an integrated approach that pairs superior breeds with advanced methods, seamlessly blending facility design with optimized processes while ensuring harmony between production and ecology. Develop and implement standardized feeding and management protocols tailored to diverse livestock and poultry species, taking into account regional contexts, farm scales, and operational models—thereby establishing a robust, well-rounded standardized production system. Deeply engage in creating model demonstration farms that highlight high efficiency, environmental sustainability, product safety, and state-of-the-art management practices. Actively promote collaborative initiatives at both the ministry and provincial levels, amplifying the示范效应 and driving wider adoption of these best practices across the industry.

IV. Key Tasks

Thoroughly implement the National Mandatory Immunization Program, ensuring that all eligible animals receive vaccinations. Actively promote regional control measures for major animal diseases, strengthen inter-provincial coordination mechanisms, enhance inter-departmental joint prevention and control efforts, and reinforce supervision of live pig movements to minimize the risk of cross-regional spread of highly contagious diseases like African Swine Fever. Accelerate the establishment of disease-free zones, advance the evaluation and construction of ASF-free biosecure zones, leverage their role as model areas, and gradually roll out disease eradication initiatives across the livestock sector. Additionally, bolster reserves of emergency防疫 systems, technologies, and supplies, refine emergency preparedness plans, and enhance overall capacity to respond effectively to outbreaks.

(1) Enhancing the Intensive Level of Livestock and Poultry Farming

Enhancing the intensification of livestock and poultry farming will serve as the fundamental approach to driving the transformation and upgrading of the livestock industry. We must simultaneously focus on increasing output and improving quality, accelerate the shift in production methods, and effectively boost labor productivity, the contribution of scientific and technological advancements, and resource utilization efficiency in livestock and poultry farming.

Development Moderate-scale operation. Develop large-scale farming tailored to local conditions, guiding farms (and individual farmers) to upgrade and improve their infrastructure, expand herd sizes, and enhance the standardization of livestock operations. Vigorously cultivate new types of business entities, including leading enterprises, specialized farming cooperatives, family-run ranches, and socialized service organizations, while encouraging leading firms to play a pivotal role in driving and supporting the industry. Through approaches such as unified production, standardized services, integrated marketing, shared technology, and collaborative brand development, these leaders can help form stable industry alliances. Additionally, support small- and medium-sized farmers in integrating into modern production systems, strengthen guidance and assistance for them, and foster partnerships between leading enterprises and smaller producers—establishing mutually beneficial mechanisms that empower farmers to adopt specialized production practices and boost their overall market competitiveness.

Implement a comprehensive standardized production approach. Adhere to the integrated approach of superior breeds paired with advanced methods, combining facility design with optimized processes, and ensuring harmony between production and ecology. Develop and implement standardized feeding and management protocols tailored to different livestock and poultry species, regional contexts, farm scales, and operational models, thereby establishing a robust, well-rounded standardized production system. Deeply engage in creating model demonstration farms that showcase high efficiency, environmental sustainability, product safety, and cutting-edge management practices. Actively promote joint initiatives at both the ministry and provincial levels, amplifying the示范效应 and driving broader adoption of these best practices across the industry.

Enhance Facilities Equipment level. Develop technical specifications for standardized facilities and equipment tailored to large-scale farming of major livestock and poultry breeds, and promote the integrated application of advanced farming techniques with state-of-the-art facilities and machinery. Implement agricultural machinery purchase subsidy policies, accelerate the development of evaluation guidelines for livestock-related machinery and smart equipment, as well as construction standards for comprehensive facility systems. Ensure that farm operators can include eligible automatic feeding, environmental control, disease prevention, and waste management equipment in their subsidy applications. For livestock machinery and smart devices currently lacking specific evaluation criteria, these will be included in pilot programs offering subsidies for newly developed agricultural machinery products. Actively explore innovative approaches to subsidizing complete sets of equipment for pig production, while strengthening domestic R&D capabilities in critical areas such as feed production, forage cultivation, and livestock processing. Gradually advance the development of fully mechanized farms and demonstration bases.

Promote the transformation and upgrading of production methods in pastoral areas. Accelerate the transformation of livestock production methods in pastoral areas, focusing on enhancing the organizational efficiency of rural production. Encourage the integrated management and utilization of grassland and livestock resources to foster the development of modern grassland-based animal husbandry. Strengthen the integration of agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as regional collaboration, and promote innovative, specialized division-of-labor models such as "pastoral breeding combined with agricultural rearing" and "household breeding paired with enterprise-based rearing." Simultaneously, upgrade infrastructure for grass-eating livestock farming, providing robust support for disaster-prevention and mitigation facilities in remote, high-altitude, and cold-region pastoral areas. Improve natural grasslands through targeted restoration efforts and establish region-specific forage bases tailored to local needs. Finally, cultivate new types of agricultural operators, encourage the development of standardized farms, and build regional slaughterhouses and processing centers. Additionally, expedite the commercialization of livestock products in pastoral regions, nurturing high-quality, specialty livestock commodities that meet market demands.

(II) Strengthen Animal Disease Prevention and Control

Focusing primarily on comprehensively enhancing the capacity for animal disease risk management, we will establish and improve a long-term, robust mechanism for animal disease prevention and control. This approach will enable scientific risk assessment and effective containment of animal disease threats, ensuring both the safety of livestock production and the protection of veterinary public health.

Enhance awareness of the primary responsibility for epidemic prevention. Guide practitioners to improve animal health and disease prevention conditions, strengthen preventive systems, and effectively implement measures such as mandatory immunization, cleaning and disinfection, and epidemic reporting. Encourage large-scale farms (households) and slaughterhouses to conduct self-inspections for major animal diseases. Accelerate the reform of the "vaccinate first, reimburse later" system for mandatory immunization vaccines, and support farms (households) or third-party service providers in independently purchasing vaccines and carrying out immunization activities on their own.

Implement measures for the prevention and control of major animal diseases. Implement the National Mandatory Immunization Program thoroughly, ensuring that all eligible animals receive vaccinations. Actively promote regional control measures for major animal diseases, strengthen inter-provincial coordination mechanisms, enhance inter-departmental joint prevention and control efforts, and reinforce supervision of live pig movements to minimize the risk of cross-regional spread of highly contagious diseases like African Swine Fever. Accelerate the establishment of disease-free zones, advance the evaluation and construction of ASF-free biosecure zones, leverage their role as model areas, and gradually roll out disease eradication initiatives across the livestock sector. Additionally, bolster reserves of emergency防疫 systems, technologies, and supplies, refine emergency preparedness plans, and enhance overall capacity to respond effectively to outbreaks.

Preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases. Adhering to the principle of "preventing diseases in both humans and animals by shifting control measures upstream," we will refine comprehensive prevention strategies encompassing immunization, surveillance, culling, risk assessment, public awareness campaigns, regionalized disease control, and rigorous oversight of animal movement and trade—tailoring approaches to fit local conditions. We will strictly enforce mandatory immunization against highly pathogenic avian influenza and ensure prompt implementation of emergency response protocols for any outbreaks. Additionally, we will strengthen targeted guidance on brucellosis prevention and control, launching initiatives to assess and establish brucellosis-free zones. Furthermore, we will roll out effective measures for echinococcosis control, including vaccination, deworming, and culling programs. At the same time, we’ll continue to promote an integrated approach to managing livestock schistosomiasis, focusing on prevention, detection, and treatment. Finally, we’ll provide guidance to enhance rabies vaccination efforts. To bolster these efforts, we’ll intensify public awareness campaigns, improve interagency communication, and foster collaborative, multi-sectoral disease control initiatives. Ultimately, our goal is to minimize the risks of zoonotic disease outbreaks, transmission, and spread among livestock, thereby safeguarding both animal and human health.

Strengthen epidemic monitoring and early warning systems. Continue carrying out village- and farm-specific inspections and sampling-based monitoring for African swine fever. Strengthen targeted epidemiological investigations, surveillance, and special studies on major animal diseases and key zoonotic diseases. Establish and improve a robust animal disease monitoring and reporting system, refine monitoring data and epidemic reporting requirements, and enhance early warning analysis. Further optimize the mechanism for disseminating animal disease information. Solidify the four-tiered animal disease monitoring and early warning network spanning central, provincial, municipal, and county levels, strategically deploy border-area animal disease surveillance points, and reinforce surveillance efforts for critical emerging infectious diseases.

Strengthen animal quarantine and supervision. Strengthen the development of quarantine and supervision systems, refine the management system for animal quarantine and animal health supervision certificates, seals, and markings, revise and update quarantine protocols, and establish standards for quarantine facilities, equipment, and supporting infrastructure. Promote the establishment of an animal quarantine system based on disease surveillance and laboratory testing, encourage the growth of third-party testing service providers, and further enhance the scientific rigor of animal quarantine practices. Implement standardized construction of animal quarantine procedures, ensure strict enforcement of quarantine regulations, reinforce the management of quarantine certification issuance, and vigorously crack down on illegal activities such as unauthorized certificate issuance and illicit trading of animal health supervision certificates, seals, and markings. Additionally, support animal farms and slaughterhouses in equipping themselves with qualified practicing veterinarians and animal disease prevention technicians, thereby bolstering their capacity to effectively assist in quarantine operations.

Strengthen Veterinary Laboratory Construction and Management. Promote the scientific and rational planning of high-level animal pathogen microbiology laboratories, strengthen the infrastructure development and capacity-building of laboratory personnel at the provincial, city, and county levels within animal disease prevention and control institutions, and enhance the overall capabilities of grassroots animal health systems. Accelerate the revision and formulation of supporting regulations and rules for the Biosecurity Law, and rigorously enforce administrative licensing reviews for highly pathogenic microorganisms. Strengthen the management and preservation of pathogen strains and toxins. Additionally, reinforce local regulatory responsibilities for biosecurity in veterinary laboratories, refine the oversight mechanism by integrating routine lab monitoring with regular, standardized biosecurity inspections, and further improve laboratories' abilities in quality management and biosecurity practices.

(III) Ensuring the Efficient and Safe Supply of Livestock Inputs

Focus on addressing constraints in forage resources, strengthening the feed industry, enhancing the forage sector, and solidifying the foundation for livestock development. Strictly control the production and use of veterinary drugs to ensure the safety and quality of animal products.

Strengthen the modern feed industry. The system will conduct comprehensive surveys of feed resources, scientifically assess the effective nutritional components of commonly used feed ingredients, and continuously enhance the feed ingredient nutritional value database. It will also promote advanced technologies such as precise feed formulation, efficient low-protein diet design, innovative green feed additive applications, and cutting-edge methods for the high-value utilization of non-grain feed resources. These initiatives aim to encourage diversification in feed formulations, advance precision feeding practices, and facilitate the reduction and substitution of corn and soybean meal in animal diets. Moreover, the initiative will accelerate the research and development of bio-based feeds and safe, high-performance feed additives, ultimately boosting the quality and efficiency of feed products. A unified monitoring and regulatory platform for the feed industry will be established to strengthen risk monitoring and early warning systems for feed safety, while reinforcing routine oversight of feed enterprises. This will ensure compliance with regulations governing the production, distribution, and use of feeds and feed additives. Additionally, feed companies will be encouraged to intensify innovation in both technology and business models, adopting integrated, globalized strategies that span the entire feed production chain. The goal is to build internationally recognized, world-class brands and enterprises. Finally, efforts will be made to firmly safeguard the security of feed grain supplies, supporting policies that leverage alternative grain sources like stored rice to replace corn in animal feed. This approach will help diversify feed grain supply channels and foster a more sustainable and resilient feed industry ecosystem.

Building a modern forage industry system. Implement grain-to-feed conversion tailored to local conditions, expand the cultivation of whole-plant silage corn, and boost the self-sufficiency rate of scarce forage crops like alfalfa and oat grass. Simultaneously, explore and develop new forage resources to promote the efficient utilization of non-grain feed materials. Intensify efforts in selecting, breeding, and promoting high-quality forage varieties, while supporting the establishment of superior-forage seed production and propagation centers to enhance the capacity for seed production and multiplication. Strengthen technical extension and service guidance throughout the entire process—before, during, and after forage production, processing, and utilization—and widely disseminate advanced, practical technologies. Accelerate the integrated development of crop and livestock farming, providing support for leading enterprises, large-scale farms (households), and cooperatives that combine crop and animal husbandry. Actively foster specialized, socially-oriented service organizations dedicated to forage harvesting, storage, production, and processing, while reinforcing the construction of robust systems for forage processing, distribution, and logistics. Finally, expedite the clustered growth of the forage industry by adopting a strategic approach centered on "regional brands + corporate trademarks + production bases," ultimately establishing standardized, commercialized forage production facilities that meet high-quality standards.

Promote the transformation and upgrading of the veterinary drug industry. Strictly enforce the new version of the Veterinary Drug Production Quality Management Regulations (GMP) to elevate the technological sophistication of the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. Optimize the structure of production technologies, with a particular focus on advancing vaccine manufacturing techniques such as suspension culture, concentration and purification, and genetic engineering—key areas that will enhance overall vaccine production capabilities. Accelerate the development of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM), strengthening research and innovation in TCVM-based feed additives. Support the growth of animal-specific APIs and formulations, as well as safe, effective, and multi-valent/multivalent vaccines, novel marker vaccines, and cutting-edge veterinary diagnostic products. Additionally, expedite the development of specialized drugs tailored for cattle, sheep, pets, bees, silkworms, and aquaculture, while promoting the research and production of micro-ecological preparations and low-toxicity, environmentally friendly disinfectants. Furthermore, refine the veterinary drug quality standard system by exploring the establishment of a framework anchored in the Veterinary Pharmacopoeia, supplemented by robust registration standards and enriched by complementary enterprise-level criteria. Strengthen the veterinary drug quality testing infrastructure by bolstering the analytical capabilities of existing testing institutions and accelerating the construction of regional laboratories dedicated to evaluating veterinary biological products. Finally, enhance the "inspection-and-enforcement linkage" mechanism for veterinary drug quality control, reinforcing routine supervision, random sampling inspections, and continuous monitoring to rigorously combat illegal and non-compliant practices.

Promote the reduction in the use of antimicrobial drugs for veterinary purposes. Establish a scientific and rational drug management system, standardize the meticulous maintenance of veterinary drug record-keeping, and strictly enforce the veterinary prescription drug system and withdrawal period regulations. Continue advancing initiatives to reduce the use of antimicrobial drugs in animal husbandry, rigorously implement the phase-out plan for medicinal feed additives, and accelerate the development and promotion of antibiotic alternatives. Additionally, develop a comprehensive testing standard system for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from various livestock and poultry species and common bacterial strains. Rationally deploy nationwide monitoring sites for antimicrobial resistance in animal-origin bacteria, organize and carry out programs for veterinary drug residue surveillance and antimicrobial resistance monitoring in animal-source bacteria, and further enhance the national database on antimicrobial resistance in animal-origin bacteria—providing critical technical support for evidence-based, clinical decision-making in veterinary medicine.

(IV) Accelerate Independent Innovation in the Livestock and Poultry Seed Industry

Strengthen the conservation and utilization of livestock and poultry genetic resources. Implement the Third National Survey of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources, accelerate emergency collection and conservation efforts, and ensure that critical resources are safeguarded without loss, their genetic traits remain intact, and their economic performance is maintained. Strategically plan and establish national and provincial breeding farms, conservation areas, and gene banks, while speeding up the construction of the National Livestock and Poultry Germplasm Resource Bank. Additionally, identify and designate national and provincial-level units responsible for protecting livestock and poultry genetic resources, clearly defining accountability. Launch a comprehensive registration system for genetic resources, vigorously support the development of new breeds and complementary lines based on local genetic resources, strengthen mechanisms for resource exchange and sharing, and expedite the industrialization of indigenous breeds—ultimately creating a positive "use-driven conservation" model.

Strengthen innovation in livestock and poultry breeding. Adhere to the principles of "self-reliance, independent innovation, and a combination of attraction and cultivation," and build a modern livestock and poultry breeding innovation system that is market-oriented, enterprise-driven, and deeply integrated across industry, academia, and research. We will rigorously implement the National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Improvement Program, launch joint research initiatives focused on superior breeds, and establish robust mechanisms for sharing and exchanging breeding resources as well as fostering collaborative breeding efforts among industry, academia, and research institutions. Additionally, we will strengthen the selection and management of national core breeding farms and standardize production performance testing. Furthermore, we will promote the application of genetic evaluation results, accelerate the development of advanced breeding technologies such as intelligent, precision phenotyping and genomic selection, and gradually establish a new breeding system anchored in the entire livestock and poultry industry chain. Key support will be provided for regional swine breeding consortia, aiming to steadily enhance the production performance of lean-type breeds. We will also tackle critical challenges in white-feathered broiler breeding, intensify specialized breeding programs for beef, dairy, and sheep species, and bolster ongoing efforts to improve local breed quality and efficiency. Ultimately, this will help us rapidly develop a batch of high-performing, well-rounded, and uniquely advantageous new varieties and complementary breeding lines, continuously enhancing our capacity to supply premium genetic resources.

Accelerate the breeding and promotion of superior varieties. Leveraging local resource conditions and existing farming infrastructure, clearly identify priority breeds for key regions and strengthen the livestock and poultry breeding system. Develop a group of nationally recognized seed industry enterprises that integrate breeding, propagation, and promotion, while encouraging these companies to establish robust, benefit-sharing partnerships with large-scale farms and farmers. Additionally, increase subsidies to accelerate the expansion, propagation, and adoption of new high-quality varieties. Support breeding centers for male livestock in upgrading their infrastructure and expanding their high-quality genetic herds, ensuring that all semen-collecting bulls have undergone comprehensive performance testing. Enhance the cold-chain logistics system, improve the social service standards at artificial insemination stations, and effectively address the "last-mile" challenge in breed dissemination. Finally, enforce strict regulations on breeding livestock and poultry, conduct regular quality inspections, and rigorously crack down on illegal activities such as counterfeit frozen semen and unlicensed production or sales operations.

Strengthen the eradication of key infectious diseases in breeding livestock and poultry. Focusing on national core breeding farms for livestock and poultry, as well as specialized male breeding stations, we will explore the establishment of new regional disease-clearing mechanisms, strengthen health management for breeding animals, develop standardized hygiene protocols for breeding stock, and reinforce livestock and poultry production safety at the source. We will adhere to a model that combines government policy guidance with voluntary participation from enterprises, supported by multi-party technical expertise. Implementation will follow a phased approach—starting with individual farms—leveraging demonstration projects to drive broader adoption, and fostering collaborative efforts across stakeholders. A systematic assessment and management system will be put in place to oversee disease-free status, while pilot programs and demonstrations will be launched to tackle key vertically transmitted animal diseases in breeding farms. These initiatives aim to help farms enhance their biosecurity measures, ultimately ensuring the high quality of breeding stock.

(5) Enhance the Overall Level of the Livestock Product Processing Industry

Promote the coordinated development of slaughtering and processing with sophisticated deep-processing of dairy and meat products, extend the industrial chain, enhance the value chain, and boost the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the livestock industry.

Optimize the layout of slaughtering and processing capacity. Adhere to aligning slaughtering facilities with livestock farming layouts, supporting the transfer of competitive slaughtering capacity toward concentrated farming areas to enable on-site processing and butchering of livestock and poultry. Promote the development of clustered livestock-processing industries, encouraging processors to move closer to production sites, connect seamlessly with distribution hubs, and consolidate operations within industrial parks. This will foster a balanced development model that integrates production with processing, products with markets, and businesses with farmers. Finally, optimize the entire livestock-raising, slaughtering, and processing value chain by empowering large-scale farming and slaughtering enterprises to extend their operations across the entire industry, enabling them to manage integrated processes—from breeding and slaughtering to processing, distribution, and sales—in a unified manner.

Promote the transformation and upgrading of the slaughtering industry. Continue strengthening the cleanup and restructuring of the slaughter industry, and steadily push forward the closure, suspension, or conversion of small-scale pig slaughterhouses. Enhance research and promotion of advanced slaughtering and processing equipment, while accelerating the phasing out and upgrading of outdated facilities and machinery. Elevate the modernization level of cattle, sheep, and poultry slaughter operations, and promote standardized slaughtering practices for livestock and poultry. Continuously launch initiatives to establish model, standardized pig slaughterhouses, reinforce comprehensive oversight throughout the entire slaughter process, hold slaughter enterprises accountable for their responsibilities, and ensure compliance with regulated outsourcing of slaughter services.

Strengthen the assurance of livestock and poultry product quality safety. Strengthen scientific and technological research to enhance the quality of livestock and poultry products, conduct risk monitoring and assessment of pathogenic microorganisms and biotoxins in these products, establish and improve a comprehensive quality-monitoring standard system for livestock and poultry goods, refine meat safety and quality evaluation criteria, promote an integrated "One Health" approach to ensuring meat product quality, and bolster emergency response capabilities for handling major quality and safety incidents. Additionally, enhance surveillance capacity for key animal diseases like African swine fever and other significant livestock health threats, as well as for livestock and poultry product quality at the slaughtering stage, while rigorously implementing systems such as meat quality inspection to safeguard product safety and integrity.

Enhance the capabilities for sophisticated processing of livestock products. Support the development of advanced processing and deep refinement of meat products, as well as the comprehensive utilization of by-products such as blood, bones, organs, and hides. Vigorously promote the processing of specialty livestock products, optimize product portfolios, and meet the diverse consumption needs of urban and rural residents. Encourage dairy companies to strengthen their milk source base through self-built facilities, acquisitions, equity investments, or management contracts. Additionally, guide dairy firms to refine their dairy product structures, balancing the growth of liquid dairy products with that of dry dairy items like cheese.

(6) Building a Modern Market Distribution System for Livestock Products

Fully implement the "large-scale farming, centralized slaughtering, cold-chain transportation, and chilled-meat distribution" model, promoting the shift from "transporting live livestock and poultry" to "transporting meat."

Promote the development of cold-chain logistics for livestock products. Support slaughter and processing enterprises, as well as logistics and distribution companies, in enhancing their cold-chain logistics systems, expanding refrigeration capacities, standardizing circulation procedures, boosting distribution efficiency, and broadening sales networks.

Strengthen epidemic prevention management in the animal transportation process. Develop epidemic prevention and control measures for animal transportation, establishing a filing and dynamic management system for units, individuals, and vehicles involved in animal transport. Strengthen supervision of live livestock and poultry transportation, enhance control over transport vehicles, and ensure strict adherence to biosecurity requirements throughout the transportation process and for all vehicles used. Standardize online trading activities for live livestock and poultry, implementing "point-to-point" and "farm-to-farm" targeted transportation routes with designated slaughter facilities. Accelerate and optimize the construction of designated animal disease prevention channels nationwide, while providing support for upgrading and modernizing these critical infrastructure facilities.

Enhance the market's level of specialization. Promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional livestock and poultry trading markets, optimize their planning and layout in key sales regions and traditional distribution hubs, and establish regional hubs for live livestock and poultry as well as livestock product distribution centers. Enhance market functionality, elevate service management standards, highlight regional and product-specific features, and significantly boost the clustered development of the livestock industry. Additionally, foster and regulate the growth of electronic trading platforms.

(7) Promote the resourceful utilization of livestock and poultry farming waste

Accelerate the promotion of resource-based utilization of livestock and poultry manure, as well as the harmless treatment of diseased and dead animals. Focus on establishing an integrated farming model that combines crop and livestock production, fostering the return of livestock and poultry manure to farmland for fertilization, and ultimately enhancing the sustainable, eco-friendly development of the livestock industry.

Streamline the integrated crop-livestock pathway. Implement the "National Livestock and Poultry Manure Utilization and Farming Integration Plan" for the 14th Five-Year Period, ensuring smooth internal resource circulation within agriculture. Promote the mechanized application of liquid manure, foster the development of socialized service organizations dedicated to returning manure to fields, and encourage paid manure management by livestock farms (or households) coupled with fee-based fertilizer use by farmers. Establish a multi-party benefit-linkage mechanism to align these efforts effectively. Launch pilot projects and demonstrations, tailoring solutions to local conditions by promoting techniques such as composted manure return to fields and liquid manure storage for field application. This will help drive low-cost, efficient manure-to-field utilization while optimizing the layout and scale of farming operations to reduce processing and transportation costs.

Establish a full-chain management system. Following the principle of "the producer is responsible," rigorously enforce the primary responsibility of farm operators. Explore implementing a categorized management system for manure and wastewater treatment facilities in large-scale farms, ensuring that waste treatment meets harmlessness standards and satisfies the basic requirements for fertilizer utilization. Promote the establishment of a manure nutrient balance management system tailored to China's specific conditions, guiding farm operators to maintain detailed records of manure handling and utilization, while encouraging crop growers to track manure-based fertilizer application. This will help build a comprehensive, end-to-end management system covering every stage of the process. Additionally, conduct risk assessments and monitoring of manure resource utilization, providing scientific guidance on returning nutrient-rich manure back to agricultural fields. Finally, further refine the existing standards system to better align agricultural and environmental standards.

Standardize the harmless treatment of dead livestock and poultry. Adhere to centralized handling as the primary approach, with self-managed decentralized processing as a complementary measure. Strengthen the harmless treatment system, enhance coverage of professional harmless disposal services, and systematically promote the safe and effective handling of deceased livestock such as pigs, cattle, sheep, and poultry. Reasonably establish subsidy standards and refine market-oriented operational models. Elevate the level of information-based supervision, build robust long-term regulatory mechanisms, and rigorously crack down on related illegal and criminal activities. Additionally, launch pilot programs linking harmless treatment of diseased pig carcasses with insurance initiatives.

 

(8) Strengthen Veterinary System Service Capabilities

Integrate government and market resources to build a veterinary system that features a well-structured framework, rational division of labor, clear accountability, and efficient operations—ultimately enhancing its technical support capabilities, enforcement supervision, and service-provisioning capacity.

Improve the veterinary work mechanism. Streamline the relationships among veterinary administrative, quarantine, enforcement, and technical support institutions at the provincial, city, and county levels. Strengthen grassroots capabilities in disease prevention, quarantine, law enforcement, and veterinary services, fostering a closely integrated system that links animal disease prevention and control with animal quarantine and veterinary hygiene supervision and enforcement. Additionally, promote mutual advancement between veterinary agencies, industry enterprises, and socialized service organizations. Continuously conduct performance assessments of the veterinary system to drive steady improvements in its overall effectiveness and capacity.

Strengthen the veterinary workforce. Standardize the management of official veterinarians, refine qualification criteria, and strengthen training programs for official vets. Enhance oversight and support for practicing veterinarians and rural veterinarians, creating a more favorable environment for the development of the veterinary workforce. Encourage qualified rural veterinarians to transition into practicing roles, fostering the orderly flow of veterinary resources between urban and rural areas. Additionally, advance the implementation of the Special Appointment Program for Animal Disease Prevention Specialists. Fully leverage the role of veterinary industry associations, ensuring seamless integration between veterinary degree education and continuing professional development, thereby continuously improving the expertise and skills of the veterinary workforce.

Innovative socialized veterinary services. Encourage leading livestock enterprises, animal healthcare institutions, and other market players to establish animal disease prevention service teams, specialized disease-control cooperatives, and similar entities, offering professional technical services such as mandatory immunization. Farms and livestock operators are also encouraged to purchase these outsourced, socially provided services. Additionally, veterinary industry associations are supported in developing industry-specific group standards to strengthen self-regulation within the sector.

(9) Enhance the industry's information management capabilities

Cultivate new growth drivers through digitalization, leveraging digital technologies to empower traditional industries across all dimensions, angles, and stages—ultimately boosting total factor productivity.

Accelerate the integrated monitoring and regulation of animal husbandry and veterinary services Continue advancing the integration of information systems, establishing a nationwide integrated platform for animal husbandry and veterinary services, and ensuring effective connectivity between local platforms and the national system. Taking the swine industry as a strategic entry point, develop a comprehensive monitoring and regulatory information framework—complete with standardized metrics—from livestock farming through slaughtering to harmless disposal processes. This initiative will foster seamless data sharing across the entire industry chain, spanning breeding, raising, distribution, and processing, ultimately enabling integrated, closed-loop management of livestock monitoring and regulation, along with the efficient consolidation of information resources. Additionally, it will drive the convergence of socialized services—such as technology, marketing, and finance—with the broader industry ecosystem. Furthermore, guide farms and individual farmers to establish robust electronic farming records, creating a robust big-data system tailored to livestock operations, and fully implement direct, real-time data reporting mechanisms. Enhance the electronic issuance system for animal health certificates, promoting paperless certification processes. Explore and implement an end-to-end, digitally-driven animal quarantine model that integrates livestock numbers, immunization records, and quarantine declarations; seamlessly links origin-based quarantine procedures with transportation oversight; and synchronizes certificate issuance at the point of departure with feedback from destination authorities.

Promote the development of smart livestock farming. Focusing on swine, dairy cows, and poultry, we will accelerate the deep integration of modern information technology with animal husbandry. We will vigorously support the research and development of smart sensors, as well as the design and manufacturing of intelligent farming equipment and robotic systems. This will help enhance automation and digitalization in areas such as stable environment control, precision feeding, animal behavior analysis, disease monitoring, and livestock product quality traceability. Ultimately, we aim to establish a number of highly intelligent, digitally-driven farms.

V. Major Policies

Stick to the original blueprint to the very end, consolidate and build on the achievements of existing policies, and further deepen and expand policy measures in areas such as land, finance, fiscal policy, and market regulation, continuously driving high-quality development in the animal husbandry and veterinary sectors.

(1) Implement Land Use Policies

According to the livestock development plan objectives, and in alignment with land and spatial planning efforts, we will coordinate and support the resolution of land needs for livestock and poultry farming. Agricultural facilities directly related to farming activities—such as inspection and quarantine centers, cleaning and disinfection sites, livestock manure management systems, and facilities for the harmless treatment of diseased or dead animals—may utilize general farmland without being subject to the requirement for area compensation. Additionally, we will strengthen support for using forest land in livestock development, ensuring that all procedures for forest land utilization are carried out in strict compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

(II) Strengthen Fiscal Support

Continue implementing the reward policies for major counties exporting live pigs (cattle, sheep, and goats), as well as the ecological conservation subsidy and reward programs for grasslands. Additionally, support livestock development projects such as superior livestock breeds, high-quality, high-yield alfalfa cultivation, grain-to-feed conversion initiatives, and programs aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of beef and mutton production. Support efforts to promote the resourceful utilization of livestock manure and waste, provide subsidies for mandatory animal disease immunization, compulsory culling, and harmless disposal practices in the farming sector, and encourage the development of socially-oriented animal health services through government procurement of services. Increase financial support for agricultural machinery purchases, particularly focusing on equipment tailored for large-scale livestock farms, ensuring that eligible applicants receive full subsidies. Implement preferential policies regarding water and electricity usage for large-scale livestock farming and primary processing of livestock products. Finally, explore the establishment of an emergency fund specifically for managing major animal disease outbreaks, creating a funding mechanism that relies primarily on government investment while also encouraging public and private donations to supplement the budget.

(III) Innovative Financial Support

Actively promote pilot programs for collateralized loans using live livestock, farming facilities, and large-scale agricultural machinery. Provide loan guarantees and interest subsidies to livestock operators that align with national industrial development policies, while encouraging local government industry funds, financial institutions, and guarantee organizations to strengthen their engagement with these operators, ensuring adequate funding for production and growth. Vigorously advance livestock insurance initiatives by fully implementing the central government’s financial subsidy policy for insurance premiums, offering premium support for key species such as breeding sows, dairy cows, yaks, and Tibetan sheep. Continue expanding and refining pilot programs for agricultural disaster insurance, guiding local areas to explore specialized insurance solutions tailored to region-specific livestock products. Additionally, support the inclusion of these locally developed insurance programs in the central government’s pilot program that provides performance-based incentives for local governments promoting advantageous, high-value livestock products. Encourage regions with suitable conditions to independently launch pilot projects for livestock income insurance and livestock product price insurance. Finally, actively promote the establishment of livestock industry investment funds and technology-focused venture capital funds by private and social capital entities. Meanwhile, cautiously advance futures trading for major livestock products like pork and poultry eggs, providing farmers and other producers with effective tools to manage market risks.

6. Supporting Measures

(1) Strengthen Organizational Leadership

The People's Governments of all provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) bear overall responsibility for livestock production and ensuring the supply of meat, eggs, and dairy products in their respective regions. They must develop specific plans, ensure effective implementation of responsibilities, and significantly increase investment to provide robust support for high-quality development of the animal husbandry and veterinary sectors. Meanwhile, agricultural and rural affairs departments at all levels should take the lead in establishing a coordinated mechanism, strengthen inter-departmental collaboration and communication, address critical issues arising during plan implementation, and actively oversee the organization, monitoring, and evaluation of planned tasks.

(II) Strengthen Legal Safeguards

Accelerate the revision and formulation of livestock and veterinary-related laws, regulations, and rules to enhance the rule-of-law approach to animal husbandry. Strengthen oversight and enforcement in areas such as animal disease prevention and quarantine, breeding stock production, feed safety, veterinary drug management, and livestock product quality assurance. Ensure adequate funding for law enforcement, upgrade enforcement equipment, and bolster testing capabilities. At the same time, reinforce routine monitoring, innovate enforcement systems and mechanisms, and elevate enforcement standards at the grassroots level. Additionally, launch legal awareness campaigns to cultivate a stronger sense of compliance, learning, and application of the law among all types of agricultural producers and operators.

(III) Strengthen Scientific and Technological Innovation

Persist in driving development through innovation, leveraging the modern agricultural industry technology system, research institutions, the National Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance, and innovative enterprises—these robust research forces—to focus on tackling key challenges across critical links in the industrial chain. Strengthen research into core technologies and advanced facilities—including superior seed breeding, standardized large-scale livestock farming, prevention and control of major animal diseases, efficient slaughter and processing, and the cultivation and processing of high-quality forage crops. Additionally, enhance the grassroots-level technical extension system within the livestock and veterinary sectors, intensify training programs for industry professionals, and boost overall service capabilities. Finally, bolster training initiatives aimed at developing practical, production-oriented rural talent, helping to elevate the technical expertise of leading enterprises, cooperatives, and new-type business entities like family farms and ranches.

(4) Strengthen Market Regulation

Strengthen the tracking and monitoring of livestock production and market dynamics for livestock and poultry products. Closely monitor the inventory of breeding sows and piglet prices, focusing on stabilizing hog production capacity while optimizing regulatory measures. Additionally, refine the government’s pork reserve adjustment mechanism to mitigate fluctuations in the "pig cycle" and foster steady industry growth. Encourage regions with suitable conditions to explore and develop contingency plans for ensuring the supply and managing markets of key livestock products such as beef and mutton.

(5) Strengthen Association Services

Fully leverage the roles of industry associations and other social organizations in areas such as seed industry upgrading, sustainable production, processing and distribution, brand development, information exchange, industry self-regulation, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of professionals. Through initiatives like conferences, training programs, industry events, recognition and demonstration activities, and the commercialization of scientific research outcomes, enhance the technical and managerial capabilities of industry practitioners. Additionally, encourage industry associations and other social organizations to collaborate with regulatory authorities in fields such as industrial revitalization, international trade in livestock products, and surveys on the introduction and breeding of livestock and poultry germplasm, ensuring effective organization, coordination, and service delivery.

(6) Strengthen International Cooperation

Track and monitor global livestock product production and market dynamics, strengthen technical exchanges and consultations, and support international cooperation in areas such as livestock breed resources, superior breed breeding, disease prevention and control, feed production, livestock product processing, and quality & safety assurance. Actively participate in the development and revision of international standards. Increase efforts to introduce advanced facilities, equipment, and high-quality genetic resources. Accelerate the "going global" strategy for China's livestock industry, steadily advance overseas investment and cooperation in animal husbandry, explore diverse international markets, and expand exports of competitive livestock products. Support qualified enterprises in establishing forage and feed bases, beef and mutton production and processing facilities, and dairy source bases overseas.