Increase breeding to help reduce logistics costs

A standing meeting of the provincial government yesterday set out 11 demands aimed at calming pork prices, ensuring food safety and increasing support for farming.

According to the provincial Department of Commerce, since June last year, the purchase price of pigs in our province continued to rise. After May this year, the rise accelerated. At the end of June, the purchase price of live pigs was 20 yuan/kg, a year-on-year increase of more than most. The wholesale price of pork in June was 26.52 yuan/kg, up more than most of the year, 42.96% higher than in January this year.

As meat prices continue to rise, the recent market sales decline. On July 1, the trading volume of wholesale markets across the province dropped 36.86% compared with the previous week (June 17).

In response to rising meat prices, yesterday's meeting issued an 11-point demand to calm pork prices. Pig farmers, Mr. Zhao said, "are also nervous about the wide swings in pork prices. They also want the market to be stable and don't want prices to fluctuate wildly."

It is understood that in the second half of 2007, the state introduced some policies to support pig production, some policies have not been implemented today. "We can't forget the farmers as soon as things get better." Zhao warned officials at all levels.

This time, production will be supported by increasing insurance, helping enterprises with loans, and monitoring feed prices and quality. "Financial institutions should study loan support for pig breeding." Zhao Zhengyong said, and take out a certain amount of money discount interest.

Cho called for strict monitoring of the price and quality of feed in response to farmers' complaints that pigs' food is more expensive than human food due to rising feed prices.

Since logistics costs account for a large portion of pork prices, the government should abolish the expired toll stations and reduce road tolls. Cho stressed the need to effectively reduce distribution costs.

In response to recent food safety problems, Zhao Zhengyong called for a strict crackdown in accordance with the law, "we must not let food safety problems damage the credibility of the government."