Beijing | Reuters—China’s agriculture ministry said on Thursday it would stabilize beef and dairy production, shore up consumption and assist farmers as falling prices force small producers out of business.
China announced in July that it would take steps to control beef and dairy output amid plummeting prices, adding to measures previously already enacted for the pork industry.
A plan posted on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs website on Thursday called for the promotion of beef and milk consumption and to support farmers by offering loan extensions and lowering feed costs for farming households.
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The plan said localities would be required to accelerate the expansion of herds, while promoting higher quality cows. The ministry had previously said it would do that by adjusting herd structures to eliminate older and less productive cows.
For the struggling dairy industry, consumption vouchers will be used to push more milk drinking, the notice said, as a surplus forces small farmers out of business.
The plan called for prevention and control of disease in cow herds and the notice said more targeted support policies would eventually be rolled out for agriculture and other sectors.
Beijing in March issued regulations to reduce populations of breeding sows after an aggressive expansion in the past two years triggered an oversupply of pork that led to companies booking heavy losses.
Prices have fallen as consumers tighten their purse strings in a slowing economy, with beef reaching its lowest level in five years, state media reported on Thursday.
