Report on China’s New Administrative Measures for Livestock Farm Filing

Introduction: Aligning Agricultural Management with Sustainable Development Goals

On July 11, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the “Administrative Measures for the Filing of Livestock and Poultry Farms.” This new regulatory framework replaces inconsistent regional systems with a unified national standard for the management of large-scale livestock and poultry operations. The measures are designed to advance several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Core Objectives and Contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

The primary objective of the new measures is to standardize the filing process for large-scale farms, thereby creating a robust foundation for improved management and policy implementation. Officials state that this initiative is crucial for accelerating the construction of a modern livestock farming system. This modernization directly supports the targets of SDG 2 by:

• Ensuring Food Security: The standardized tracking and management system helps to secure a stable and reliable supply of livestock and poultry products for the nation.
• Improving Nutrition and Food Safety: By enhancing regulatory oversight and quality control, the measures contribute to the availability of safe and high-quality animal protein, a key component of improved nutrition.
• Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: The framework provides the data and tools necessary for scientific policy support, guiding the sector towards more sustainable and efficient production methods.

Implementation Details: Fostering Innovation and Responsible Production (SDG 9 & SDG 12)

The “One Farm, One Code” System: Advancing Digital Infrastructure (SDG 9)

A central component of the new regulations is the creation of a digital identification system that supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Farms meeting defined scale thresholds are now required to file with local authorities.

1. Upon successful filing, each farm is assigned a unique “livestock and veterinary production and operation entity code.”
2. This “one farm, one code” identifier links the operation directly to China’s central livestock industry information platform.
3. This unified digital infrastructure enables integrated supervision and monitoring, promoting innovation in agricultural management.

The system facilitates:

• Seamless data sharing across farming, epidemic prevention, and quarantine processes.
• Enhanced disease monitoring, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Efficient integration of production data for improved regulatory oversight.

Reporting and Compliance for Responsible Production (SDG 12)

To promote SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), the measures mandate that all filed farms report their livestock numbers and output through the national online platform. This requirement ensures transparency and accountability in production patterns. Farms that fail to comply with these reporting duties will face penalties under the Animal Husbandry Law, reinforcing the state’s commitment to responsible resource management.

Administrative Structure and Collaborative Governance (SDG 17)

Streamlined Administrative Process

The filing process has been intentionally streamlined to reduce the administrative burden on farmers. It is not considered an administrative license, and the requirements are minimal, consisting only of a filing form and a site photo or layout. Furthermore, farms already registered under previous provincial systems that meet the new national standards will not be required to re-file.

A Partnership-Based Governance Model

The implementation relies on a collaborative governance model that reflects the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Responsibilities are clearly divided to ensure effective execution:

• MARA (National Level): Responsible for the overall management and supervision of the nationwide filing system.
• Local Agriculture Departments: Responsible for the on-the-ground execution, including managing local filings, conducting inspections, and ensuring compliance.

Future Outlook

Moving forward, MARA will support the rollout of these measures by providing training for local authorities, publishing detailed scale standards for various animal types, and actively promoting the timely reporting of inventory and output data. This comprehensive strategy marks a significant step in modernizing China’s livestock sector, aligning it with global best practices for sustainability, food security, and public health.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article directly addresses food security by highlighting the new measures’ aim to “further ensuring stable supply and quality safety of livestock and poultry products in China.” This focus on a stable and safe food supply is central to SDG 2.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The initiative supports the “construction of a modern livestock and poultry farming system” and “modern farming practices.” This modernization and technological upgrading of the agricultural sector contribute to higher levels of economic productivity, a key aspect of SDG 8.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The creation of a “central livestock industry information platform” and the “one farm, one code” system represents a significant investment in digital infrastructure and innovation. The article states this “facilitates better integration of production data, disease monitoring, and regulatory oversight,” which aligns with the goal of developing reliable infrastructure and promoting innovation.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article describes the replacement of an inconsistent, region-based system with standardized national measures. It details how MARA and local departments will have clear responsibilities for “filings, inspections, and supervision.” This effort to create a unified, transparent, and accountable regulatory framework directly relates to building effective institutions.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article’s emphasis on ensuring “stable supply and quality safety of livestock and poultry products” directly supports this target.
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production. The push to “accelerate the construction of a modern livestock and poultry farming system” aligns with this target.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The implementation of a central information platform and a unified coding system is a clear example of “technological upgrading and innovation” within the livestock sector.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being. The “central livestock industry information platform” is a new piece of digital infrastructure designed to make the livestock sector more reliable and manageable.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article explains that the new measures “unify national standards and procedures” and create a clear system of oversight with MARA at the national level and local departments handling “inspections, and supervision,” thus creating a more effective and transparent institution.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

   • Indicator (Explicit): The article states that farms are expected to “report livestock numbers and output through an online platform.” This data on livestock numbers and output can directly measure production levels and contribute to assessing the stability of the food supply.
   • Indicator (Implicit): The focus on “quality safety” and “disease monitoring” implies that a reduction in food safety incidents and livestock disease outbreaks would be a key measure of success.

2. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

   • Indicator (Explicit): The number of farms that have received a “livestock and veterinary production and operation entity code.” This “one farm, one code” system is a direct measure of the adoption of the new digital infrastructure.
   • Indicator (Explicit): The operational status and use of the “central livestock industry information platform” for data sharing across “farming, epidemic prevention, and quarantine processes.”

3. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Indicator (Explicit): The number of large-scale farms that have completed the filing process under the new “unified national standards and procedures.” This measures the implementation and reach of the new institutional framework.
   • Indicator (Implicit): The level of compliance with the new measures, as the article notes that farms not filing will be “penalised under the Animal Husbandry Law.” A high compliance rate would indicate the effectiveness of the new institution.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: agtechnavigator.com