Urgent Notice! China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Introduces Stringent New Regulations for Aquaculture Inputs

In a recent development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has launched the "China Fisheries Enforcement Sword 2024" series of special law enforcement actions. On March 22nd, during a press conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, it was revealed that this year, for the first time, the Ministry will carry out a special law enforcement action focusing on the standardized use of inputs for aquaculture, expanding it into a specialized action for aquaculture. Among the measures to be implemented is the enforcement of aquaculture permits.

"Wang Xintai, Deputy Director and First Inspector of the Fisheries Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, stated that in 2023, the total output of aquatic products nationwide is estimated to reach 71 million tons, with aquaculture production expected to account for 58.12 million tons, or 82% of the total aquatic product output. It can be said that aquaculture products are the mainstay of stable production and supply of aquatic products."

As outlined in the "Sword" plan for this year, the Ministry will focus on specialized law enforcement actions for aquaculture, which will include the standardized use of inputs for aquaculture. This includes continuing to strengthen law enforcement related to aquaculture medicine records, production records, sales records, etc., to better safeguard the "food safety" of the people. Additionally, the enforcement of aquaculture permits will be incorporated to promote the implementation of supporting systems, further ensuring the production space for aquaculture products and solidifying the foundation for supply. Moreover, inspections related to aquatic seedlings will be conducted to improve the quality of aquatic seedlings and support the revitalization of the aquaculture seed industry.

According to the Ministry, the special law enforcement action will mainly focus on the following three aspects:

Strict management of the use of inputs for aquaculture, including whether nationally prohibited or discontinued inputs are stored and used, whether authentic and complete records of aquaculture medicine are established, and whether aquatic products are sold during their drug withdrawal period.

Implementation of the aquaculture permit system, including whether units and individuals engaged in aquaculture production in all national waters and beaches have lawfully obtained aquaculture permits, and whether there are any production activities that exceed the scope stipulated in the aquaculture permit.

Standardization of aquatic seedling production, including whether aquatic seedling producers hold valid aquatic seedling production permits, whether production is carried out in accordance with the scope and types stipulated in the aquatic seedling production permits, and whether the sale or transportation of aquatic seedlings is quarantined in accordance with the law.