"What major initiatives has the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs launched this year for the special crackdown on "agricultural product quality and safety"?

Agricultural product quality and safety are the foundation of food safety, directly impacting the health and well-being of the people, as well as their lives. They also play a critical role in ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural and rural economy and in achieving the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

In recent years, our country has placed great emphasis on residents. The issue of "food safety on the tip of the tongue" is being tackled through multifaceted efforts, aiming to genuinely enhance the quality and safety of agricultural products. We’re stepping up our commitment to ensuring agricultural product safety, strengthening the regulatory framework, and making quality assurance a pivotal component in transforming agriculture and restructuring the sector—so people can enjoy food that’s both safe and secure. To safeguard consumers’ peace of mind when it comes to what they eat, China has recently taken several significant steps to elevate the quality of its agricultural products.

"Operation Sword": Severely Crack Down on Illegal and Non-Compliant Drug Use

On May 25, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a plan to launch the 2020 "Sharp Sword" campaign nationwide, aimed at strengthening special inspections on agricultural product quality and safety. The initiative will rigorously crack down on all illegal and non-compliant use of pesticides and unauthorized additives, while ensuring strict enforcement of safe withdrawal periods and medication intervals. This effort is designed to firmly safeguard consumers' food safety—from farm to table. According to the schedule, the "Sharp Sword" campaign will run until December this year.

"Operation Sword" will focus on three key areas:

"Operation Sword No. 1" targets illegal use of banned pesticides during the production of vegetable and fruit products, failure to adhere to safety interval regulations at harvest time, and improper use of preservatives and anti-corrosion agents in accordance with national standards.

"Operation Sword 2," focusing specifically on poultry eggs, as well as pork, beef, and mutton, will rigorously crack down on illegal practices in the farming process—including the unauthorized use of banned drugs, the application of unapproved medications and pesticides, failure to observe withdrawal periods, and non-compliance with two key regulations during the slaughtering phase. Additionally, the operation targets illegal activities such as clandestine slaughter of live pigs, the disposal of diseased or dead pigs at slaughterhouses, and the practice of injecting water or drugs into meat products.

"Operation Sword No. 3," focusing on aquaculture products as its key target, will rigorously crack down on the illegal use of banned drugs and other compounds, as well as discontinued medications—particularly those that lead to excessive veterinary drug residues due to non-compliance with withdrawal periods before fish are harvested. The operation will also address the unlawful production, distribution, and use of counterfeit veterinary drugs, along with instances where so-called "non-medicinal products" or "animal health products" are found to contain unauthorized veterinary drugs, banned substances, or other prohibited compounds.

Vigorously promote the implementation of certificates of conformity for food and agricultural products.

On December 18, 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the "Implementation Plan for the Nationwide Pilot Program of the Certificate of Conformity for Edible Agricultural Products." On the 27th, the ministry organized a video conference to officially kick off the nationwide rollout of the program. From its initial conceptualization to the pilot phase in six provinces and now its full-scale national implementation, the system has taken over eight years to develop—and has now essentially established a practical, replicable model ready for wider adoption.

The certificate of compliance for agricultural products serves as a guarantee from growers and producers to consumers, committing to the safety of their produce based on self-management practices.

The implementation of this system represents a significant innovation in China's agricultural product quality and safety management, helping to encourage producers to develop healthier, safer food options. It has also effectively addressed issues that undermine public interests, while simultaneously fostering stable economic and social development, meeting the needs of people, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, and ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens—its impact cannot be underestimated.

The General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs this year The "Key Work Points for Agricultural Product Quality and Safety in 2020," issued in February, calls for a pilot implementation of the agricultural product certificate system. It instructs local areas to refine their pilot plans, focusing on priority products, key stakeholders, and critical issues. The initiative will first roll out the edible agricultural product certificate system among large-scale producers and operators, while encouraging eligible entities to issue electronic certificates. A clear timetable and roadmap have been established to guide and deliver tiered training at various levels, ultimately empowering producers to take charge of their own quality control, self-certify their products, and make public commitments to safety standards.

So far, half of the provinces have launched pilot programs for issuing certificates of conformity for agricultural products. 615 counties, along with over 200,000 production and business entities and producers, have participated in the initiative. So far, more than 32 million certificates of compliance for food products have been printed and put into use. The certificate system connects producers directly to consumers, ensuring traceable origins and easily accessible information—marking the dawn of a new era where agricultural products are sold exclusively with these certified guarantees.

Tip: How to properly fill out the certificate of compliance for agricultural products

The certificate of conformity for agricultural products should follow the nationally standardized basic template. You can choose the size that best suits your needs, ensuring it’s neither too large nor too small. The certificate must include essential details such as the name and quantity of the agricultural product, information about the grower or producer—specifically their name, place of origin, and personal contact details—as well as the date of issuance and a clear commitment statement. This commitment guarantees that the grower or producer has pledged not to use prohibited or restricted pesticides, veterinary drugs, or any illegal additives in the production process.

Producers should adhere to the pesticide safety interval and veterinary drug withdrawal period regulations, and the agricultural products they sell must meet national safety standards.

Generally, the certificate is issued by the reproductive and cultivation producer themselves in duplicate—one copy is given to the trading partner, while the other is retained for one year as a reference. The certificate of conformity for edible agricultural products is then affixed or hung visibly on the surface of the packaging material, clearly showcasing the product’s comprehensive safety report.

Geographical Indication Agricultural Products: Deepening Implementation of Protection Measures

" The "Key Work Points for Agricultural Product Quality and Safety in 2020" emphasizes the need to deeply implement the Geographical Indication Agricultural Products Protection Project. It calls for advancing the issuance of guiding opinions on developing GI agricultural products, supporting the cultivation and growth of 200 GI-certified agricultural products, and establishing a robust implementation mechanism featuring "provincial-level coordination, county-level execution, and departmental supervision." The strategy highlights the approach of "one GI mark, one high-quality product, one thriving industry," while strengthening the development of production bases and native seed-breeding facilities. Focused on preserving unique product qualities, the plan also aims to refine production technology standards. Additionally, it underscores the importance of brand building and preserving distinctive cultural heritage, ultimately creating a group of exemplary GI agricultural products that drive rural industrial revitalization and support poverty alleviation efforts.

Implementing the Geographical Indication Agricultural Products Protection Project is of significant importance for several reasons: First, it helps create high-quality agricultural products with unique, distinctive qualities, fostering the development of quality-driven, green, and brand-focused agriculture. Second, it supports the cultivation of local specialty industries and the building of regional brands, boosting the added value of traditional, heritage-rich agricultural products, revitalizing rural economies, increasing farmers' incomes, and contributing to poverty alleviation efforts. Third, by enabling urban and rural residents alike to reconnect with nature—through visible mountains, flowing waters, and cherished memories of their hometowns—it strengthens rural cultural traditions and promotes the revitalization of rural culture. Finally, leveraging modern intellectual property tools to safeguard these unique agricultural resources enhances the international competitiveness of China’s agricultural products.

Data from the China Green Food Development Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs show that as of On September 4, 2019, 2,778 geographical indications for agricultural products were registered nationwide.

Selecting National Counties (Cities) with High-Quality Agricultural Product Safety

In 2014, the national initiative to establish counties as models for agricultural product quality and safety was launched. In December 2016, the first batch of nationally recognized "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Counties (Cities)" was announced: the Ministry of Agriculture designated 103 counties, including Fangshan District in Beijing, as "National Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Counties," and four cities—such as Weihai City in Shandong Province—as "National Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Cities." Then, on November 2, 2019, the second batch of nationally recognized "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Counties (Cities)" was unveiled, naming a total of 211 counties and cities this time.

Agricultural product quality and safety must be addressed starting at the grassroots level. County-level areas serve as the frontline for both agricultural production and quality-safety oversight. Establishing counties dedicated to agricultural product quality and safety can effectively drive the broader development of a robust system characterized by clear accountability, strong regulatory frameworks, rigorous enforcement, and highly efficient operations. This initiative is crucial for genuinely safeguarding food safety, accelerating the transformation of agricultural practices, and fostering the advancement of modern agriculture.

Creating national-level counties focused on agricultural product quality and safety aims to meet the public's demand for safe and high-quality consumption, while also highlighting regional strengths. The best practices from the main-producing counties of "vegetable basket" products can serve as a model and provide leadership for agricultural product quality and safety efforts not only in surrounding regions and the province (region, city) itself, but also across the nation.

" The "Key Work Points for Agricultural Product Quality and Safety in 2020" emphasize the need to deepen efforts in establishing national-level counties recognized for their agricultural product quality and safety. This includes thoroughly launching the third batch of initiatives aimed at creating such counties, refining and upgrading the established standards, and exploring the introduction of a city or county mayor defense system. Additionally, ongoing dynamic inspections and continuous evaluation will be conducted for counties and cities already awarded the title; those failing to meet the required standards will have their titles revoked without exception. Finally, the initiative "Shining Action" will be implemented nationwide, featuring a specially designed visual identity logo, strategically placed promotional signage at key locations, and a series of engaging "China Tour" publicity campaigns, all aimed at boosting the brand awareness and societal impact of these nationally recognized high-quality agricultural product counties.