According to an official source, an expert panel from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has announced that over a 11-day on-site examination and evaluation, Hainan province has passed the national on-site inspection for Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zone.

Among the 100 Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zones, Hainan is the first one to receive national inspection, which symbolises the better safety and reliability of animal products in the province as well as a milestone of China's animal husbandry. The province was listed by the Ministry as the national demonstration for Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zone.

Since then, the provincial authorities at all levels have invested over 200 million yuan (CNY) to establish six systems including veterinary service, animal epidemic prevention, prevention and supervision, epidemic surveillance, preventive shield, and laws and regulations, and ensured zero outbreak of major animal epidemic diseases for ten years. The 100 per cent coverage of animal and poultry compulsory immunisation has guaranteed and boosted the rapid development of animal husbandry in the province, changing the island from an importer to an exporter of animal and poultry products. As a result, the income of the island's farmers from animal husbandry has tripled in the past ten years.

According to Zhang Hong, the Deputy Director-General of MOA Bureau of Veterinary, China is a large producer in animal husbandry and aquaculture production but not a strong player. This situation has not been changed for years. Hainan's passing of the inspection is a milestone for China's animal husbandry. The completion of Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zone in Hainan is a major breakthrough for the province and for China's animal husbandry and aquaculture production as well as public safety.

Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zone means a specific area is free of specific animal epidemic diseases in a prescribed period, while the construction of Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zone requires the application of measure to control effectively animals and animal products, feed of animal origin and animal genetic materials in a specific area and its neighbouring areas recognised by the state, so that the area can be up to the standard of Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zone.

In his remarks, Xiao Jie, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture in Hainan, said that the construction of the Specific Animal Epidemic-Free Zone would be a continuing endeavour. The province will enhance its efforts to build the island into an export base of major animal products of the country as soon as possible.