[Explanation] On March 5, the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism held a press conference in Beijing. At the press conference, Yang Zhenhai, director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, pointed out that the intensity of the swine fever epidemic in Africa had dropped significantly year-on-year, and the situation of highly pathogenic avian influenza was generally stable.

[Contemporary] Yang Zhenhai, Director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Twelve African swine fever epidemics occurred at this time last year, and one this year, which is the one you just mentioned, and the intensity of the year-on-year decline has been significantly reduced. This year, 4 wild bird and 2 poultry highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks were also reported across the country, and the incidence was basically consistent with the average level in recent years. After expert consultation and comprehensive research and judgment, the situation of the highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemic this year is generally stable.

[Explanation] Yang Zhenhai said that the reported status of African swine fever and bird flu epidemics reminds us once again that there are many types of pathogens of major animal diseases and they are widely distributed. The risk of epidemics always exists, and prevention and control cannot be relaxed.

[Contemporary] Yang Zhenhai, Director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

In the next step, we will focus on three areas of work. One is to prevent African swine fever. The second is to do a good job in spring immunization and make every effort to prevent and control animal diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease. The third is to guide local governments to conscientiously implement the 2020 version of the African Swine Fever and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza emergency response plan just released.

[Explanation] Recently, "Desert Locust" has ravaged many countries in the world. Pan Wenbo, the director of the Department of Crop Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that the suitable temperature for the migration of "Desert Locust" is around 40 ℃, and it is difficult to cross the Kunlun and Himalaya mountains on the southwest border. Natural barriers, the probability of migration to invade China is very small.

[Contemporary] Pan Wenbo, Director, Department of Plantation Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural

Experts believe that the probability of desert locusts migrating into China is very small. The Kunlun Mountains and the Himalayas in the southwestern border of China have natural barriers that make it difficult for desert locusts to move in over high-altitude mountains. The ecological environment and climate in cold regions are not suitable for the survival of desert locusts. This is the opinion of experts. Experts also believe that even if Desert Locusts move into our country, we have the ability to respond.

[Explanation] In response to the question of whether turtles and bullfrogs can be eaten, Zhang Xianliang, director of the Fisheries and Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, introduced that most of the farmed turtles, including Chinese sturgeons and turtles, bullfrogs and American frogs in frogs Introduced species can be farmed and eaten.

[Contemporary] Zhang Xianliang, Director of the Fishery and Fishery Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

In consultation with the National Forestry and Grass Bureau, we will use the "Catalogue of National Key Protected Aquatic Wild Animals for Artificial Breeding", "National Key Protected Aquatic and Aquatic Plant Resources List" and the new aquatic species announced and promoted by our ministry as the basis for classification. The amphibians and reptiles on the list are clearly managed by our ministry according to aquatic animals, that is, most of the farmed turtles including Chinese sturgeon and turtles, bullfrogs of frogs, and two introduced species of American frogs can be farmed and eaten.

Reporter Liu Chao reports from Beijing

Editor-in-chief: [Yu Xiao]