Adopted at the 19th Session of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People’s Congress on December 29, 2005; amended in accordance with the Decision on Amending Four Laws Including the Metrology Law of the People’s Republic of China adopted at the 6th Session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress on June 29, 2013
Effective: July 1, 2006
Table of Contents
Chapter I — General Provisions
Article 1 — This Law is enacted for the purposes of regulating the production and operation of livestock and poultry, protecting and rationally utilizing the genetic resources of livestock and poultry, safeguarding the quality and safety of livestock and poultry products, and promoting the sustainable and healthy development of the animal husbandry industry.
Article 2 — This Law shall apply to activities relating to the protection and utilization of genetic resources of livestock and poultry, the breeding, reproduction, rearing, transport, and slaughter of livestock and poultry within the territory of the People’s Republic of China. “Livestock and poultry” as used in this Law refers to the species of domesticated animals traditionally raised for the production of meat, eggs, milk, wool, and hides as listed in the catalogue published in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
Article 3 — The State shall guide and promote the development of the animal husbandry industry, adopting a development path that yields high output, high quality, high efficiency, and is ecologically safe and resource-conserving.
Chapter II — Protection of Genetic Resources
Article 4 — The State shall establish a system for the protection of genetic resources of livestock and poultry. The competent agricultural and rural authority under the State Council shall establish a national committee on genetic resources of livestock and poultry and publish catalogues for the protection of genetic resources.
Chapter III — Breeding, Reproduction, and Slaughter
Article 5 — The State shall implement a licensing system for the production and operation of breeding livestock and poultry. An entity or individual applying for a license shall meet certain conditions regarding facilities, equipment, technical personnel, and quality management.
Article 6 — The State shall implement a system of designated slaughter of live pigs and other livestock and poultry. No entity or individual may slaughter live pigs or other livestock and poultry that are subject to the designated slaughter system without designation.
Chapter IV — Quality and Safety of Livestock Products
Article 7 — The quality and safety of livestock and poultry products shall comply with the relevant national standards. The use of veterinary drugs, feed, and feed additives in the production of livestock and poultry shall comply with the relevant national provisions, and the use of prohibited drugs and compounds shall be strictly prohibited.
Chapter V — Legal Liability
Article 8 — Where the production or operation of breeding livestock or poultry is carried out without a license, the competent agricultural and rural authority shall order the cessation of the illegal act, confiscate the illegal income, and impose a fine.
Chapter VI — Supplementary Provisions
Article 9 — This Law shall come into force on July 1, 2006.
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