China plans to set up a Veterinary Bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture and appoint a Chief Veterinarian to supervise the country's veterinary sector, Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said Thursday.

The outbreak of avian flu in some areas of China indicates that the country is still vulnerable in animal disease control, Hui said while delivering a report on the prevention of highly-infectious bird flu at a session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The government will table a reform plan on the management of veterinary sector, increase funds to fight animal diseases, and revise the provisions on the outbreak of animal diseases, Hui said.

He proposed that the NPC Standing Committee amend the Law on the Prevention of Animal Disease.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2004)