LINE

Text:AAAPrint
ECNS Wire

Agriculture now biggest polluter in China

1
2015-04-16 16:38Ecns.cn Editor: Mo Hong'e
Farm land and a river in Jiangxi province are polluted by wastewater discharged from a nearby paper-making factory. (File photo/Beijing News)

Farm land and a river in Jiangxi province are polluted by wastewater discharged from a nearby paper-making factory. (File photo/Beijing News)

(ECNS) -- Agriculture has overtaken industry as the biggest non-point source pollution in China, according to vice minister of Agriculture Zhang Taolin.

Zhang said hazards facing soil and water pollution and the safety of agricultural products have increased, Beijing Times reported.

Industrial and civil pollution has shifted to agriculture, lowering the quality of arable farmland. Another negative factor is the consistent overuse of fertilizer and pesticides, while livestock dung, agricultural waste and grasses were too often inappropriately managed.

[Read more: Fertilizer use in China exceeds 'safety level': official]

The ministry has introduced measures to reduce pollution in the agricultural sector such as securing the volume of irrigation water at 372 billion cubic meters, Zhang explained.

It will also reduce the amount of pesticide usage to 300,000 tons from the current level of 320,000 tons via improved fertilizing techniques.

"It is practically and theoretically feasible to use less fertilizer without damaging agricultural production. Farms are also encouraged to utilize organic fertilizer," he added.

Zhang said polluters shall be held responsible for cleanups and that these problems and burden would be shifted solely to farmers, whose interests must be protected.

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.