China News Service, May 29. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued an announcement on its official website on the 29th, announcing the "National Catalog of Animal Genetic Resources" (hereinafter referred to as the "Catalogue") approved by the State Council. "Catalogue" for the first time identified 33 domestic animal and poultry species, including its local breeds, cultivated varieties, introduced varieties and supporting lines. Among them, there are 17 kinds of traditional livestock and poultry and 16 kinds of special livestock and poultry.
"Catalogue" clarifies 17 kinds of traditional livestock and poultry, including pigs, ordinary cattle, zebu, buffalo, yak, large-scale cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camels, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, quails ; 16 species of special livestock, including sika deer, red deer, reindeer, alpaca, turkey, guinea fowl, pheasant, partridge, muscovy duck, mallard, ostrich, emu, mink (non-edible), silver Fox (non-edible), Arctic fox (non-edible), raccoon dog (non-edible). The "Catalogue" belongs to the positive list of livestock and poultry farming. Those listed in the "Catalogue" shall be managed in accordance with the "Livestock Law of the People's Republic of China".
Data figure: Farmers care for young piglets. Photo by Han Zhangyun
The formulation of the "Catalogue" adheres to law, science and openness. In accordance with the “Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People ’s Congress on the Comprehensive Prohibition of Illegal Wildlife Trade, the Elimination of Abuse of Wild Animals, and the Effective Protection of the People ’s Health and Safety” and the relevant provisions of the Animal Husbandry Law, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Based on the results of the resource survey, we accelerated the formulation of the “Catalogue” and successively solicited opinions from 36 central and national agencies, provincial-level people ’s governments, scientific research institutes, universities, and industry experts, and solicited opinions from the public. After several rounds of revisions and scientific demonstrations, the "Catalog" was officially released to the public.
The livestock and poultry genetic resources listed in the "Catalogue" are the main source of supply of important agricultural and livestock products for urban and rural residents. In 2019, China's total output of meat, poultry eggs, and milk will reach 76.49 million tons, 33.09 million tons, and 32.01 million tons, respectively. The total output of meat and poultry eggs ranks first in the world for consecutive years. Over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, the development of animal husbandry has entered a fast lane, with a total output value of nearly 3 trillion yuan. It has become an important pillar industry in the agricultural and rural economy, and has made important contributions to meeting the growing consumer demand for livestock and poultry products and improving the living standards of the people. .
The person in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs introduced that the "Catalogue" for the first time clarified the range of livestock and poultry species, including 33 species of livestock and poultry, including 17 species of traditional livestock and poultry and 16 species of special livestock and poultry. These livestock and poultry are domestic animals that have been domesticated and selected by humans for a long time. They have a certain group size and are mainly used in agricultural production. The population can be propagated under artificial breeding conditions to provide humans with meat, eggs, milk and fur , Fiber and other products, or to meet the needs of service, sports, etc.
In response to the question "Why dogs are familiar domestic animals, why not included in the" Catalogue "this time, the person in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs introduced Of the comments, most agree that dogs are not included in the "Catalogue". Dogs have a long history of domestication. In the past, they were mainly used in nursing homes and hunting and grazing. Now dogs have more diverse uses, including pet companionship, search and rescue police, and escort guidance. They have a closer relationship with humans. There are no dogs in livestock and poultry counted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and internationally, it is generally not managed according to livestock and poultry. For example, the livestock and poultry listed in the Korean "Livestock Law" do not include dogs. It should also be noted that with the progress of the times, people's civilization ideas and eating habits are constantly changing, and some traditional customs about dogs will also change.
The person in charge said that the "Catalogue" is a positive list, and the listed livestock and poultry are managed in accordance with the "Livestock Law". Although the dog is not included in the "Catalogue", it is not a wild animal, which does not mean that it cannot be kept. Regarding the management of dogs, relevant departments and localities already have some experience and practices, and have introduced regulations such as restraint, registration, and compulsory immunization. In the future, all localities can further improve relevant systems and achieve standardized management on the basis of listening to the opinions of all parties based on local reality.
The person in charge also stated that the "Catalogue" is not static and can be adjusted. In the development and production practices of animal husbandry, if it is indeed necessary to be included in the "Catalogue", the "Catalogue" will be adjusted in accordance with the statutory procedures in accordance with the provisions of the "Animal Husbandry Law", according to the actual development situation, and after careful scientific evaluation.