A draft law on animal husbandry, now under deliberation at the on-going legislative session, includes articles on animal welfare.

Giving attention to animal welfare is crucial for improving the quality of China's livestock products and shows progress of civilization, says Shu Huiguo, vice-chairman of the NPC Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, when explaining the draft to the NPC Standing Committee.

The welfare of livestock refers to the animals' rights of being free from hunger, misery, diseases and scare, according to the draft law.

The draft law on animal husbandry was submitted to the 17th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress, which will be held from August 23 to 28, for first reading.

Shu said scientific experiments show that if maltreated, animals would react by producing poisonous substances in body which blocks water circulation, affects the quality of livestock products, and harms health when people dine on them.

The draft law on animal husbandry regulates that local stock farming supervision departments should give direction to stock farmers and tell them how to ensure animal's welfare.

The draft law also stipulates that stock farmers should provide proper environment for animals to live and reproduce, regularly feed and take care of them, when they are under transportation.

In today's international trade, Shu acknowledged, poor animal welfare has become a new trade barrier, which often made Chinese companies and farmers suffer losses in livestock trade.

The legislation for animal welfare is for fitting the international trend and to make Chinese livestock products more competitive.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2005)