China's Minister of Agriculture said on Saturday that localities should make all efforts in reconstruction after the devastating snowstorms to ensure spring farm work and prevent animal disease.

Minister Sun Zhengcai urged local governments to overcome existing difficulties and effectively implement the reconstruction plan.

"We should recover particularly the production of vegetables, rape plants, pigs and chickens," he said during a pledge to ensure farm product supplies this year.

The effort came closely after the announcement by Vice Premier Hui Liangyu at a recent meeting. It was announced then that localities as well as the central government should take effective measures to reduce the negative impact of the snow disaster on agriculture.

Hui demanded local agricultural departments earnestly implement the state's preferential policies for farmers, including supplying farmers and farm-related sectors with sufficient subsidies.

Winter storms have reaped havoc on the country's central, south and southwest since mid-January, leading to dead livestock and serious economic loss.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2008)