The Ministry of Agriculture will set up an inspection system this year to protect consumers from dangerous and illegal fodder additives.

According to the ministry, livestock feed will be checked not only at the production area but also in the areas where it is consumed. The results will be released to the public.

At a working conference held in Beijing Tuesday, Vice Minister Yin Chengjie said the safety of fodder is of great importance to people's health and should be strictly supervised.

"Lean meat essence," a chemical additive used in some fodder, can be used as exhilarant to quicken livestock growth. It is toxic to humans.

In the past, some farmers have tried to increase profits by putting the additive in pig feed, causing many cases of poisoning.

Yin said the ministry and public security departments have organized several actions to crack down on the practice.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2005)